Wet not your bow strings

Anyone who has read much of what I have written knows that I think pretty much all of life can be boiled down to a Tolkien or Lewis quote.

In Lewis’ “The Last Battle,” the king of Narnia and several of his faithful followers are making a last stand for their country and their lord, Aslan, against an enemy that has attempted to mix their belief in Aslan with their own false religion and to enslave the Narnians.

In the course of the horrors of the battle, the king turns to one of his followers and says, “If you must weep [Jill], turn your face aside and see that you wet not your bow string.”

That is where many patriots are today. As Eric Metaxas tweeted after last night’s election, “It is mourning in America.”

The line was clearly drawn last night between what America was designed to be and what America has become. “Forward,” as our 44th president says. Forward to dependence, from independence. Forward to totalitarianism, from freedom. Forward to buffet-style sexuality, from strong traditional families.

There is good reason to weep.

American Christians have been spoiled throughout the history of this country. We’ve had a method of influencing the culture that most other nations in other time periods have not had – the opportunity to elect Christian leaders. That method is, at least for now, apparently ineffective.

But wet not your bow strings.

The path ahead is difficult, but clear. We know what we’re up against and we know the odds. We’ll just have to do it the old-fashioned way. This isn’t the end of our battle against darkness in America. As we said yesterday, an election will never put an end to our striving for morality. There is only one Leader who will put an end to that fight and until He’s here, let us take our stand on His Word and be what He called us to be – the salt and the light.

What’s left to us now is the ground game – living the principles we preach, and influencing our neighbors with the love of Christ. In four years, we will be living in a very different America, but our duty as Christians will not have changed.

Obama is still president, but Christ is still King.

http://www.americandecency.org/full_article.php?article_no=1579

Pastors, Bonhoeffer, “politics”, and the fear of man

When I first became a Christian, I had a lot to learn about many things (I still do):  What does it mean to be a Christian? What is the church?  What do pastors do?  Should pastors take strong  stands against sin or avoid preaching out against  sin?

I have now been a Christian 42 years. I understand a lot of those questions much better and have better answers to them than I did as a 23 year old. However, I still realize that those questions still remain – not only with me, but with many others.

In those early years as a Christian, I thought that Christians would be like Dr. James Dobson or Don Wildmon that they would see the need surrounding them and call upon God to lead them as to how to be the “salt and light of the world” (Matthew 5).

As I left my full-time teaching position in 1988 (after 18 years of teaching) to go into full-time ministry first as AFA’s first state director and then later as founder and president of American Decency Association in 1999, I began to recognize even more fully that churches didn’t readily take stands against pornography, indecency, homosexuality, immodesty, same-sex marriage, etc.  We have been paying a great price.

Sadly, I have come to recognize, that is the way it is.     It troubled AFA founder and long time President Donald E. Wildmon.  He expressed that concern in one of his classic  AFA Journal articles entitled “300,000 Silent Pulpits.

I recall years ago that Focus on the Family developed a nationwide campaign to help churches develop “Social Action Committees.”    At our local church, we had a social action committee, but the church board voted to have us change the name from social action committee to social awareness committee.  Note that change – awareness not action.

A couple of years later, the social awareness committee asked for a special meeting with the board urging the church leadership and the pastor to please preach sermons on occasion regarding the sins of our day where Satan was targeting the body of Christ to give warning so that  Christians knew what God’s Word had to say about homosexuality, adultery, pornography, etc..

The board met and decided that once a month the pastor would preach such a sermon.  Shortly after the pastor preached a powerful and very Biblical sermon in regard to what does God say about homosexuality.   We were  overwhelmed with thankfulness!  Yet, there was never such a sermon preached again in the months that followed.

Voters Guides

A couple of years ago I was working to get churches to distribute (make available) non-partisan voter’s guides.  One local pastor told me “I’m not going to do that to my congregation. They are nothing more than Republican concoctions to endorse their candidates.”

I could name many other scenarios.  Many.

Most of you reading this are familiar with Dietrich Bonhoeffer who tried to rally the German church to stand against Hitler.   As you are aware, the church largely did nothing to oppose Hitler.   Other than Bonhoeffer and a few others.

It seems to be human (sinful) nature – fearing man more than fearing God.   I’m sure that it must be difficult preaching out and stepping on toes and then having those people not like you because you preached against adultery, pornography, homosexuality, abortion.

God’s people need to be in the Bible daily themselves – that’s certain.  However, there are many babes in Christ that aren’t far along in their faith.  They need a word boldly spoken from God’s Word weekly!

In the weeks ahead, pastors should be reminding their congregations to study the issues, pray, seek counsel from those who are Biblical Christians who understand the times and the Word, and to go to the polls and vote for biblical values on election day.

Pastors should be reminding their congregations that there are significant differences between both candidates and both parties.  Pastors should be dispelling cynicism, lethargy, and apathy.

America is a blessed nation.  God has blessed America with freedoms that no other nation has ever experienced and especially as long as we have.

In our great state of Michigan in the days ahead, Eric Metaxas is going to be speaking at various sites across the state.  Eric Metaxas is the author of the hugely successful and popular best seller “Bonhoeffer.”

Metaxas also spoke at the National Prayer  Breakfast in 2012.  Many of you have heard that he spoke with passion and conviction in the presence of many of our nation’s political leaders including President Obama.

Metaxas will be in Michigan to primarily speak to pastors on October 25 -26.

I’m going to do what I can to invite as many pastors as I can to this special event.  Their voice, their passion for the Lord, their love for God’s standard to prevail, their need to lead the people of God as God would have them lead is needed perhaps as never before in our life times.

If you live in Michigan and would like to have an invitation emailed to your pastor, please contact me at bjohnson@americandecency.org

http://www.americandecency.org/full_article.php?article_no=1511

William Wilberforce (2)

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” Mk 10:43 NIV

William Wilberforce’s biographer, Eric Metaxas, points out that the abolition of the British slave trade had even greater implications: “We had suddenly entered a world in which we would never again ask whether it was our responsibility as a society to help the poor and suffering. We would only quibble about how…Once this idea was loosed upon the world, the world changed. Slavery and the slave trade would soon be largely abolished, but many lesser social evils would be abolished too. For the first time in history, groups sprang up for every possible social cause.” That’s why Metaxas calls Wilberforce “The greatest social reformer in the history of the world.” Metaxas goes on to say: “The world he was born into in 1759 and the world he departed in 1833 were as different as lead and gold. Wilberforce presided over a social earthquake that rearranged the continents, and whose magnitude we are only now beginning to fully appreciate.” During his first years in Parliament, Wilberforce wined and dined each night and was touted as the “the wittiest man in all of England.” Looking back on it he wrote, “For the first years I was in Parliament I did nothing—nothing of any purpose.” But in committing to Christ he discovered his life’s purpose. It was not about achieving personal greatness, but about serving others. Today, go out of your way to help, bless and serve someone. If you do, when you get to the end of the day you’ll feel good about yourself. And God will feel good about you too!

https://theencouragingword.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/william-wilberforce-2/

A time for courage

“In the later day, there will be perilous times.”  Most of you have read this powerful text from II Timothy 3.

Paul was writing his last Epistle and making it ever so clear that things are going to get worse.  He listed nineteen different characteristics of  sin  that are arising.

Check them out for yourself in II Timothy 3:2-9.  They are all in full display right before our very eyes, some of them in the highest places.

 

Paul’s words are addressed to his young disciple Timothy (and to the body of Christ)

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, ¹¹ my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. ¹² Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom^[a] you learned it ¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God^[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:10-17.

 

Godly and bold leadership are needed by those capable of hearing His voice and following.  This email is just a reminder to be continually preparing as He leads us day by day.

For further consideration  —

 

A time for Courage:

Last weekend, Michelle Obama encouraged churches to be bold in taking a political stand. The wife of the President of the United States told the congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Nashville Tennessee, “To anyone who says that church is no place to talk about these issues, you tell them there is no place better—no place better,.”

The First Lady defended her position by saying, “Because ultimately, these are not just political issues – they are moral issues. “They’re issues that have to do with human dignity and human potential, and the future we want for our kids and our grandkids.”

I agree with her. If Jesus Christ is Lord of all, He should be Lord of our stand on political issues. Too many preachers are afraid to speak up, not just because they fear their church might lose its tax-exempt status but because some church members will protest, “You shouldn’t mix politics and religion,”, and threaten to leave.  …

But as the Roman Catholic Church has recently demonstrated, when the government infringes on moral and spiritual issues we have an obligation to speak up. Religious freedom is not just a political issue. Gay marriage is not just a political issue. The right of the unborn to live is not just a political issue. Preachers who fail to speak out on these topics are lacking in moral courage.

I’ve just read the book Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. I’ve often wondered where the German church was during the 1930’s when Hitler and the Nazi’s rapidly ascended to power. This excellent book explains what happened. http://www.bobrussell.org/

Listen to our daily radio broadcast: “A Decency Minute”

On Sirius XM Family Talk today: Both men and women are responsible for moral purity. Click here

Further on this subject: Dressing to Attract – Click here

http://www.americandecency.org/archives/a-time-for-courage/#more-6861

the Spiral of Silence and help others too

Chuck Colson was speaking at his own conference which was called “Breaking the Spiral of Silence” when he grew ill and was taken to a nearby hospital near Landover, Maryland.  He was hospitalized with a brain hemorage.  This was on March 30.  Fighting for his very life, though there were moments where it looked like he may recover, he went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 21.

The conference was taped for the very purposes of distributing it throughout our embattled land. Colson and others wanted to continue to motivate, stir and encourage the body of Christ to have their hearts inflamed for His great service who would then do their utmost to get others informed about the issues that confront us and our families in this embattled America.

We are making this DVD presentation (2 hours) available for just the cost of mailing.

Call us at 888-733-2326 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            888-733-2326     end_of_the_skype_highlighting to place your order by phone or make your order online at:

https://secure4.afo.net/ada/store2/

Today we face a culture in crisis. The Spiral of Silence has a stranglehold on our culture, spinning a web of lies that threaten to destroy the very fabric of society.  A handful of angry voices seem to control the message on the most fundamental issues of life, marriage and religious liberty. Christians feel threatened, alone, and helpless.

But you are not alone. The Spiral of Silence is fragile, and if one by one we stand up and speak out against the lie, against injustice, against evil, the spiral will begin to unravel, and truth and justice will prevail.

What is the Spiral of Silence?”  It is a social phenomenon where, out of a desire to avoid reprisal or rejection, people go along with what they think is the popular opinion – even if they object to that opinion personally.   Instead of voicing their objections, they remain silent.

One of the most important things we can do in obedience to Christ, as Chuck Colson stated, “is to break the spiral of silence that is pervasive in our culture.”

To help Christians be a force for light, numerous highly regarded Christian speakers, whose passion is to illuminate a biblical worldview for today’s culture, came together for a special event, “Breaking the Spiral of Silence.” This powerful presentation includes speakers Joni Eareckson Tada, Harry Jackson, Eric Metaxas (best-selling author of Bonhoeffer), and many others.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

• The Sanctity of Life • Protecting and Strengthening Marriage • Protecting Religious Liberty • Silence is Evil: Stand Up/Speak Out • Speak Out in Education • Speak Out in the Media • Speak Out in the Community and Public Square • Speak Out in Church • Take the Next Steps

We are making this DVD presentation (2 hours) available for just the cost of mailing.

Call us at 888-733-2326 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            888-733-2326     end_of_the_skype_highlighting to place your order by phone or make your order online at:

https://secure4.afo.net/ada/store2/

http://www.americandecency.org/archives/the-spiral-of-silence-and-help-others-too/#more-6668

Breaking the Spiral of Silence DVD opportunity

Chuck Colson was speaking at his own conference which was called “Breaking the Spiral of Silence” when he grew ill and was taken to a nearby hospital near Landover, Maryland.  He was hospitalized with a brain hemorage.  This was on March 30.  Fighting for his very life, though there were moments where it looked like he may recover, he went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 21.

 

The conference was taped for the very purposes of distributing it throughout our embattled land. Colson and others wanted to continue to motivate, stir and encourage the body of Christ to have their hearts inflamed for His great service who would then do their utmost to get others informed about the issues that confront us and our families in this embattled America.

 

We are making this DVD presentation (2 hours) available for just the cost of mailing.

Call us at 888-733-2326 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            888-733-2326     end_of_the_skype_highlighting to place your order by phone or make your order online at:

https://secure4.afo.net/ada/store2/

 

Today we face a culture in crisis. The Spiral of Silence has a stranglehold on our culture, spinning a web of lies that threaten to destroy the very fabric of society.  A handful of angry voices seem to control the message on the most fundamental issues of life, marriage and religious liberty. Christians feel threatened, alone, and helpless.

But you are not alone. The Spiral of Silence is fragile, and if one by one we stand up and speak out against the lie, against injustice, against evil, the spiral will begin to unravel, and truth and justice will prevail.

What is the Spiral of Silence?”  It is a social phenomenon where, out of a desire to avoid reprisal or rejection, people go along with what they think is the popular opinion – even if they object to that opinion personally.   Instead of voicing their objections, they remain silent.

One of the most important things we can do in obedience to Christ, as Chuck Colson stated, “is to break the spiral of silence that is pervasive in our culture.”

To help Christians be a force for light, numerous highly regarded Christian speakers, whose passion is to illuminate a biblical worldview for today’s culture, came together for a special event, “Breaking the Spiral of Silence.” This powerful presentation includes speakers Joni Eareckson Tada, Harry Jackson, Eric Metaxas (best-selling author of Bonhoeffer), and many others.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

• The Sanctity of Life • Protecting and Strengthening Marriage • Protecting Religious Liberty • Silence is Evil: Stand Up/Speak Out • Speak Out in Education • Speak Out in the Media • Speak Out in the Community and Public Square • Speak Out in Church • Take the Next Steps

We are making this DVD presentation (2 hours) available for just the cost of mailing.

Call us at 888-733-2326 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            888-733-2326     end_of_the_skype_highlighting to place your order by phone or make your order online at:

https://secure4.afo.net/ada/store2/

http://www.americandecency.org/archives/breaking-the-spiral-of-silence-dvd-opportunity/#more-6639