America; Perilous Times Ahead

America, my beloved nation is in a moral melee. She has skidded off the runway of moral clarity. She has leapt over the precipice of moral restraint and is in a free fall of decadent behavior.

What kind in behavior? The killing of innocent babies in the womb. Rampant immoral sexual behavior and homosexuality that is now the "new normal." Violent street "games." Public shootings - malls, schools, theaters and homes. Widespread use of drugs and alcohol. Politicians and other leaders who ignore the people, lie, cover up their misdeeds and participate in all manner of ugly and shameless partisan vitriol...and so much more.

America has rejected and ignored God. She has removed God from the halls of government, education, and the marketplace. The church and Christianity has been pushed to the margins of the culture, ignored as an influence in public discourse, mocked and ridiculed as extreme. Soft persecution is here. A rise of more intense persecution may be expected.

For America, the train has left the station. She has forgotten/left behind the foundational principles and Biblical values upon which she was built. For this she will pay a heavy price. Like Judah of old, she will find herself in a "captivity" of her own making. She will find herself in perilous times. She will find herself dealing with the God who loves her and set her apart as exceptional.

God did not make a mistake when ordaining this country as a light, a beacon of freedom and liberty against the tyranny of kings and dictators. I believe that we may expect God to orchestrate all of our circumstances (good and bad) in His providence in order to bring us back to faith in Him.

When this beloved nation faces the consequences of her rejection of God (and she certainly will) she can count on the same advice given to Judah (Jer 29:4-14).

1) Accept your circumstances and your plight as from the hand of God. You may as well settle down, you will be in this place for a while. I would also add that she (we) should be thankful if this judgment is temporal and not yet permanent. So long as there is time to turn, to repent, there is hope. When permanent judgement comes there'll be no turning back.

2) Pray for the peace of this country. We must pray to the Lord for it. It is only His peace that will carry us through the coming storm. We must pray for those in authority over us. We must pray for our friends, neighbors and families.

3) Do not listen to the voices which tell you that everything is okay. I would equate these voices to the minions of political correctness. They wish only to push their own agenda, to neutralize any thought of a God who is involved in the affairs of men. Do not believe them.

4) Fully rely upon God, trusting that He will accomplish His word toward this beloved nation. His desire is to return us to a place of usefulness to Him. It is His desire to give us a future and a hope." He wishes to be in a love relationship with this beloved nation. One where we once again call upon His name in full surrender and repentance.

5) Seek Him with all your heart. Search for Him with all your heart. He will be found. He will make Himself know. He will once again speak and we will listen and know Him fully.

6) Expect God to return us to the joy of being rightly related to Him. He will redeem us from captivity. He will restore the prosperity and the greatness to the land. Expect God to gather us again to Himself that this beloved nation may once again be a light for freedom and liberty.

All of our hope is in Him.

5 Myths About Global Christian Persecution

Reprinted from Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs; Georgetown University.
Timothy Shah
Foxnews.com, December 10, 2013

As the world's more than 2 billion Christians -- one-third of the global population -- prepare to celebrate Christmas, a major conference in Rome will explore the myths and realities of global Christian persecution.
Not far from the catacombs where the martyrs of the early church are buried, dozens of experts will discuss why today's Christian martyrs — and other victims of persecution — deserve far more attention than they're receiving.

Most of these victims will continue to be ignored, however, as long as five myths continue to cloud popular thinking about global Christian persecution. Based on an abundance of new evidence, the experts in Rome will show that the myths don't stand up to the facts.

Myth 1. Just a phenomenon in the Middle East. The persecution of Christians in Egypt and Syria made headlines this year, and it was at the top of the agenda when Vladimir Putin met Pope Francis at the Vatican last week. But the fact is that anti-Christian persecution is spiking well beyond the Middle East. And it is spreading to countries known for their relative stability and religious moderation -- such as India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

Myth 2. Christians aren't greatly impacted. It's widely thought that the world's Christians are mostly Western, wealthy, and powerful. And so the assumption is that the most serious persecution they are likely to face is a cold stare when they say "Merry Christmas." But the fact is that Christianity has ancient footholds throughout the world. Furthermore, its unprecedented global dispersion has spread Christians to the poorest and most unstable corners of the earth. And according to non-partisan sources such as Pew, the resulting reality is that more Christians face more persecution in more countries than any other religious community.

Myth 3. Ramifications are just cultural. The myth is that, whatever persecution there is, the damage is superficial -- more a loss of multicultural diversity than anything else. But the fact is that societies that systematically persecute Christian minorities are doing themselves major political and economic harm. They are preventing productive citizens from participating in economic life or forcing them to leave altogether; they are sowing sectarian divisions that undermine stability; and they are making vibrant, pluralistic democracy impossible to achieve.

Myth 4. Christianity has been a net nuisance, bringing persecution onto itself. It's often assumed that Christian missionaries and proselytizers invite persecution. But the fact is that Christians have made longstanding and unique contributions to their societies. Christians may proselytize. But even more often their faith motivates them to build hospitals, serve the poor, educate children, and aid victims of disaster. There is statistical evidence that regions of the world that have welcomed these kinds of Christian efforts have reaped enormous economic, political, and social benefits

Myth 5. It couldn't happen here. A common myth is that it is just fear-mongering to imagine that Christians and other religious groups could suffer serious restrictions in Western countries. Of course, Western countries have been free of the kinds of violent attacks on Christians and other religious groups that have occurred in countries such as Egypt and Syria in recent years. But the trend lines are not encouraging. Non-partisan sources such as Pew show that government restrictions and social hostility against religion -- including Christianity -- have risen dramatically in recent years. Claims of restrictions on religious liberty are real, such as those by Hobby Lobby and other corporations, which the Supreme Court decided this week to consider in the coming months. Such claims should not be dismissed out of hand but taken seriously -- precisely to ensure that the rampant persecution of Christians and other religions occurring outside the West does not come to the West.

This article was originally published by Foxnews.com.

Restore Your Heart For God

Passion for God is not lost overnight. It is a slow imperceptible drift. Often not even intentional. You wake up one day and 1) Know something is wrong; "See the heights from which you have fallen." 2) The Spirit speaks. "Go back" (repent). You know He's right, so 3) You surrender to "do what you did when first you fell in love." (Rev 2:5) Sweet restoration from those times of drifting is one surrendered moment away.

My House Shall Be Called A House Of Prayer - Jim Cymbala

Wonderful message on prayer and the Christian church.

Elect, appoint wise & just people

Elect & appoint wise & just people. Deu 16:18,19 Critical in your home, school, church, community, job; honorable people who uphold justice & fairness. You yourself must be such a person. Then pay attention to how such people in authority rule. Be informed about your leaders. 

Our country is in the mess it is in because we have been asleep at the wheel. I take personal responsibility for not paying closer attention to how our leaders were governing. I hope I can still make a difference and help to hand over to the next generation an honorable and frugal government. I am fully awake and am seeking to elect and appoint trustworthy, wise, and just individuals. 

Lead from a heart of righteousness. Lead where you are. Lead in your home, your church, your schools, your work place, your communities. Do not be afraid to step up to leadership. 

What Does Your State Constitution Say About God?

Do you Know the Preamble of your state? 

Alabama              1901               Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of

Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska              1956                Preamble .

We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our

nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona             1911                Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our

liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas            1874                Preamble  .

We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the

privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California          1879                Preamble .

We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our

freedom.

Colorado            1876                Preamble .

We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of

Universe.

Connecticut         1818            Preamble ..

The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence

of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware            1897                Preamble .

Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping

and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida             1885                Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our

constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia             1777                Preamble .

We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty

God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii              1959            Preamble ..

We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this

Constitution.

Idaho               1889                Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our

freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois            1870                Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the

civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to

enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana             1851                Preamble .

We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the

free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa                1857                Preamble  

We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the

blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a

continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.

Kansas              1859                Preamble .  

We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and

religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky            1891                Preamble.

We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the

civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana           1921,               Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the

civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine               1820,               Preamble.

We, the People of Maine, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of

the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... And

imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland            1776                Preamble

We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our

civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts        1780               Preamble .

We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the

goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe .. In the course of His

Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction ...

Michigan              1908              Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the

blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota,            1857              Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and

religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi            1890             Preamble .

We, the people of Mississippi, in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty

God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri               1845             Preamble . 

We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of

the Universe, and grateful for His goodness Establish this Constitution.

Montana                1889             Preamble.

We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of

liberty establish this Constitution ....

Nebraska               1875              Preamble .   

We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. Establish this

Constitution.

Nevada                 1864              Preamble ..              

We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our

freedom establish this Constitution

New Hampshire           1792             Part I. Art. I. Sec. V .

Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God

according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey              1844             Preamble

We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for

civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and

looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico              1911             Preamble .

We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of

liberty

New York                1846             Preamble .

We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our

freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina          1868             Preamble .

We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the

Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious

liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of

those

North Dakota             1889            Preamble ..

We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings

of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio                     1852            Preamble ..

We, the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our

freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common

Oklahoma                 1907            Preamble ..

Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the

blessings of liberty ... establish this ..

Oregon                   1857     Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2.

All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God

according to the dictates of their consciences..

Pennsylvania             1776              Preamble

We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings

of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance

Rhode Island         1842              Preamble.

We, the People of the State of Rhode Island, grateful to Almighty God for

the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy,

and looking to Him for a blessing

South Carolina            1778             Preamble .

We, the people of he State of South Carolina, grateful to God for our

liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota              1889             Preamble .

We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and

religious liberties

Tennessee                 1796             Art. XI.III.

That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God

according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas                     1845             Preamble .

We, the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the

grace and beneficence of God.

Utah                      1896             Preamble .

Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this

Constitution.

Vermont                   1777             Preamble .

Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to

enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of

Existence has bestowed on man               ..

Virginia                  1776              Bill of Rights, XVI

Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by

Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian

Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other

Washington                1889              Preamble .

We, the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of

the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia             1872              Preamble .

Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political

and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia, reaffirm our faith

in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin                 1848               Preamble .

We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom,

domestic tranquility

Wyoming                   1890               Preamble .

We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil,

political, and religious liberties .. establish this Constitution.

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions and you find this to be "Food for thought.." forward this to as many as you think will be enlightened as I hope you were.

Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."

- William Penn

GOD BLESS AMERICA

TURNING BACK TO GOD

Scripture reading personal preparation—Psalm 102: 1-7, 12, 13

Personal Prayer; Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition; brokenness

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Jeremiah 3:1-4:4

Jeremiah 3

Polluted by sin
V6 …. “Have you seen what fickle Israel has done? Like a wife who commits adultery, Israel has worshiped other gods on every hill and under every green tree. 7 I thought, ‘After she has done all this, she will return to me.’ But she did not return….she thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols made of wood and stone. So now the land has been polluted.

Faithless Israel worshiped other gods: dependency on money, success, power, prestige; like a wife running to another lover to satisfy her desire for pleasure. Like Israel, America needs to turn back to the one true faithful loving husband for genuine satisfaction. In this generation our culture has changed before our very eyes (See Francis Schaeffer quote below).

Call to Repent
V12 .... This is what the LORD says: “O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever. 13 Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the LORD your God and committed adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. Confess that you refused to listen to my voice….16 “And when your land is once more filled with people,” says the LORD, “you will no longer wish for ‘the good old days’ when you possessed the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant. You will not miss those days or even remember them, and there will be no need to rebuild the Ark.

Do not long for the “good old days,” the “good old buddies,” the good old hang outs.” Your loving faithful husband (God) will not disappoint you.

How to Repent
V22 ….“Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the LORD our God. 23 Our worship of idols on the hills and our religious orgies on the mountains are a delusion. Only in the LORD our God will Israel ever find salvation. 24 From childhood we have watched as everything our ancestors worked for….was squandered on a delusion. 25 Let us now lie down in shame and cover ourselves with dishonor, for we and our ancestors have sinned against the LORD our God. From our childhood to this day we have never obeyed him.”

Jeremiah 4

V1 “O Israel,” says the LORD, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. 2 Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.” 3 This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the LORD, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins.

After rebelling time and time again, God still calls His people to Himself. He never gives up. Here is how to repent and renew: Humble yourself before God, confess your sin, put away arrogance, pride and selfishness; stand by the truth; break away, cut away the response of the flesh, consecrate yourselves (set yourself apart) for Him. Or suffer the consequences.

Francis Schaeffer, in his 1975 book, Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History said this about the generation of people who knew not Joshua. “The children of Israel….forgot [about their commitment to serve God]. And thus came the confusion, the sorrow and the total lawlessness of the period of the judges. We are seeing exactly the same shift in our own generation. [My generation] experienced a Christian consensus [a culture in which we called ourselves “Christian”]. This does not mean that every individual was a Christian but that society was strongly influenced by Christian values. But my generation and the generations immediately preceding me made a bad choice, and so we now live in a post-Christian world [a world in which Christianity has been marginalized; pushed to the fringe]. The choices of faith have been set aside and forgotten, and, accordingly, the confusion, sorrow and lawlessness of the time of the judges is occurring in our generation. If you are a member of the younger generation, you are a recipient of the consequences of this bad choice. This is who your are. To understand yourself, you must understand that you have grown up in a post-Christian world.” Today, almost forty years later, it is not better. It is worse and changing exponentially.


Prayer Focus: Our national/local leaders be shielded from New Age thinking, false religions, and occultism; they hear and understand the Biblical worldview and principles; they work to reverse trends of humanism; they be prepared to give an account of their lives to God.

PRAY FOR Our Nation As You Might Pray For A Lost Friend?

That America will want to know about God

That America would think about why she needs Jesus to forgive her sins

Prevent Satan from blinding America from the truth

Send someone who will tell America about Jesus

Make me brave enough to be used to tell America about Jesus

That America will turn from her sin and follow Jesus

That America will really trust in Jesus

That America will chose to believe that Jesus is Lord

That America will hear and believe the Bible

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS POST? CHECK BELOW.

God Himself Bows To Humility

“…and my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

 

This verse is often quoted in the context of the trouble we see in our land, in our nation and the world. Many a follower of Christ invokes this verse when times are especially bad. But is there the sort of collective turning called for by this verse? Is there such a turning as will touch the heart of God and He will hear from heaven, send forgiveness of sin and healing to the land?

I wonder sometimes if we as Christians in the West think more in terms of getting back to “the good old days” when we just didn‘t have to worry about so many things going wrong. I wonder, if God did send forgiveness and healing, if we would not soon slip back into complacency and apathy toward our lifestyle and the state of the nation and the world. Might we think, “Whew, dodged that bullet of judgment”, or would we continue in a state of genuine restoration with God. Even the context of this verse tells me that might be the case. When God spoke these words to Solomon the people were not living in sin. They were in the middle of a great celebration of the building of the temple. Look at verse 13. It is more like a forewarning.

Can followers of Christ continue in a genuine spirit of brokenness with God? How do they do that? Yes, I believe it is possible to live in a genuine spirit of brokenness with God. I believe it has to do with the part of this verse that says, “…and my people who are called by my name HUMBLE THEMSELVES…” It will require that followers live in a state of humility before God.

I don’t think much can happen or be sustained without humility. Humility is the starting point in this verse. Without humility there will be no real prayer, no seeking God’s face, no turning from sin, hearing from heaven. Humility, I believe, is vitally important to staying right with God. Consider Micah 6:8 – “[God] has told you O man what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to WALK HUMBLY with your God.”

Someone asked me what I thought it meant to be broken before the Lord. I believe that to be broken means to be humble toward God – it is Him whom we have offended. When we think of brokenness we tend to think of weeping and whaling, going around in sackcloth and ashes. But living in a state of brokenness is not so much an act of some kind. It is more a state of mind, a state of the heart in which God my dwell and work.

In Isaiah 57:15 God says, “…I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite [broken/humble] and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite [broken/humble]. “ This is living in brokenness, humility before God.

In the Old Testament the word “humble” means to bring a proud, stubborn, disobedient spirit into subjection. The related Arabic root means to fold (like the wings of a bird). What a beautiful picture of humility. This word is used thirty-six times in the Old Testament. Eighteen are a reference to spiritual submission (fifteen of these is a reference to a king submitting himself and his nation to God, e.g. 1 Kings 21:29). The emphasis is on a proud spirit lowering itself. As long as a person or nation is arrogant and self-sufficient, God can do nothing for them. We must reflect in our lives a genuine dependence upon God. “Helplessness” is a word that has been used to describe this heart attitude that God accepts as prayer. Norwegian theologian Ole Hallesby is reported to have said, “Only he who is helpless can truly pray.”

God says, in Isaiah 57:15 that 

            He will dwell with/in the humble.

            He will revive the spirit of the humble.

            He will embrace and not shun the humble.

It is as if God Himself bows to humility.

If brokenness/humility is the key to knowing restoration (forgiveness and healing) what can we do to sustain such a virtue? May I suggest a reading of Philippians 2:3,4. Putting others interests ahead of my own helps me get a sense of what God has done for me. Philippians tells me that Jesus humbled Himself for me, a sinner. We are never more like God than when we are humbling ourselves. Putting others first helps us to flesh out humility before God.

In his book, The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a' Kempis writes, “…humility will know the peace of God. But do not think you have accomplished anything until you consider yourself as much less than others.”

Lord, teach us and our leaders how to walk in humility/brokenness every day (before you and before others). Root out areas of pride in our lives. Show us where they exist and teach us how to deal effectively with them. We may only hope to achieve a thimble full of humility/brokenness in our whole lives but grant, O Lord, that we may approach some portion of this virtue. Then again, it is not we who can achieve it but only You in us. As we are privileged to know such a state of mind and heart let us engage You in prayer, seek Your face, and turn from our sin. Then we may know that You have heard from heaven, will forgive us and heal of our land. Give us grace then to continue a life of humility/brokenness before You.

Millennials - Be The Generation Who Seeks You

Mellennials - Gen Xrs: Be the generation who seeks after God. Ps 24:6 (NKJ) 

America has forgotten God; ignored God; rejected God. This, in the face of enormous blessing from God (Deu 6:12,17,19; 7:12,13). We have seen His judgment on 9/11/2001- a wake up call to the church and this nation. There was no repentance. Only a brazen commitment to "rebuild and be stronger."

We have seen His further judgment in 2008 with the financial collapse of the stock market. No repentance. No national call to prayer for His help. What will we see next and how severe will it have to be to get our attention?

There is however, still time for this favored nation to repent before God's anger is fully unleashed (Deu 7:4-6). 

Lyndon Johnson made this observation, "Under this covenant of justice, liberty, and union we have become a nation - prosperous, great, and mighty. And we have kept our freedom. But we have no promise from God that our greatness will endure...If we fail now then we will have forgotten in abundance what we learned in hardship; that democracy rests on faith, that freedom asks more than it gives, and...

...the judgment of God is harshest on those He favors most." 

(Heb 11:6; 1Pe 4:17) 

Lord, forgive my generation for rejecting You, ignoring You, forgetting all Your benefits. I am sorry Lord for our sinful neglect of You. If my generation will not repent, then Lord, please give us a generation of children who seek You with a whole heart. 

Shall America Die At Its Own Hand?

Ken Duncan is a renowned photographer from Australia who is known for his incredible panoramic photography. In 2008 he published a beautiful photographic journey through all fifty of our United States of America. The book is entitled, Walking With God In America. In the introduction of this book Duncan writes:

"It might seem funny that although I am Australian, God has given me a real burden for America. No nation in the world has been more naturally blessed than the United States, and I believe God has done that so people will understand how much He cares for the nation. America's faith in God is what has made it one of the greatest countries on earth, and that faith is a beacon of hope for other struggling nations around the world.

One of the things that motivated me most to do this book was that God clearly showed me how the enemy [Satan, whose task it is to kill, steal, and destroy] was trying to undermine America's godly foundation. He showed me that the awakening of the battle would be when the government is pressured to remove the words 'In God We trust' from the currency. This is something Christians must never allow to happen. Throughout my journey I was aware of many instances where the enemy was trying to remove the Ten Commandments from public buildings and stop prayer in schools, and at times I was deeply saddened. It is so important for America to stand strong against all the attempts to exclude God from people's lives, including government.

In January 1838 in a church in Springfield, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech wherein he warned his nation of approaching danger.

'At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasures of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trail of a thousand years.'

'At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.'

When I first heard this speech of Abraham Lincoln's narrated, it touched me deeply. I felt as if the enemy of which he spoke was lurking in the shadows here and now, in the form of apathy, hopelessness, fear, and division, and that his speech was a warning cry from the past. The United States of America displays the words, 'In God We Trust' on its currency, but has the nation's trust in the steadfast God been exchanged for the ever-changing passions of humanity? The Civil War in America gave testimony to the terrible cost of division. The 2000 and 2004 presidential elections showed how divided a nation could be when its hope is place in mere mortals. A house that is divided can fall. Is there still trust in the Highest power, or are we placing our hope in human authority?

[May I add here that the election of 2012 has shown us that we are a more deeply divided nation than ever.]

The United States of America has been blessed beyond measure. No nation has been granted a more beautiful place to call home. I believe God has blessed this country so that it may be a beacon to others by upholding the belief that liberty, faith, hope and unity can conquer any adversity. The bounty of awesome natural wonders is a constant reminder that there is accountability to a power higher than oneself. My prayer is that the American people never forget where their help comes from - the Maker of heaven and earth.

Our roots provide the strength to withstand the storms of constant change. A hardy breed of men and women pioneered this great nation of America and bequeathed to all a land of hope and possibility - a land of freedom. They have show the way to overcome obstacles and stand strong in times of adversity. Now is the time for all Americans to focus on where they have come from and what the foundation for the future will be.

I journeyed through this land on a three-year pilgrimage endeavoring to capture the spirit of America. My aim is to show the awesome power of God through the beauty of His creation, for I believe that it is the foundation of trust in God that has made America such a blessed nation..."

Duncan then quotes from 1 Kings 2:2,3:
'Keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies...that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.'

Our one hope going forward in 2013 and beyond will be found only in a great revival of the soul of the church and awakening in the land. PRAY FOR REVIVAL! PRAY FOR AN AWAKENING OF NATIONAL PROPORTIONS!

You will find some of the most beautiful photographic art work anywhere captured with the heart of God at its core at www.kenduncan.com - Promise!

Ben Stein: To The Prodigal

Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this 

piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .


The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.


My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

No "Dibs" On God's Blessings

I remember when I was a kid whoever called "dibs" on some coveted object had the first rights of ownership on it. In a similar way I guess that you could say that America has had "dibs" on the blessings of God. But in the last thirty to forty years I'm not so sure that is as true as it has been in the past. We have seen the blessings wane as God has little by little been removed from our nation's life.

O Lord, can we rightfully ask you to bless this country without a repentant heart? We've so left you out, indeed forced you out of public life. Political correctness has become the rule of the day expunging you from public discourse. "Please DON'T come to my house Sir, but please bless my house." Somethings not right here.

While we cannot rightfully ask of the Lord for [dibs on] His blessings for this country,  we can rightfully ask that He put us back on the right track. We can ask of the Lord, that He bring us back into a right relationship with Him, that He not turn from us in a time when we need Him more than anything. But a repentant heart must be the first order of business.

Lord, I would ask that you revive the heart of your church. Bring her in brokenness back from the "far country" in which she has been living. I ask for an out pouring of your Spirit on the church and on this land. Send a great awakening of national proportions. FOR THIS WE MAY SHAMELESSLY CALL "DIBS."

For our leaders we pray, to quote several sources: 

• "Instill awareness in our leaders of the godly heritage of our country and their responsibility to honor and preserve that tradition." 
• "Raise up leaders who desire principle over politics; for servant-leaders who desire to be statesmen not politicians; for men and women devoted to the truth of God."
• "Show favor to those who are devoted to God and godly principles. That their influence will grow and be felt. That God's transforming power would be at work in the lives of those who would try to deceive, divide, and destroy."
• "May foolish greed and selfish ambition not supersede or precede any leader's desire for you Lord."
• "May there not be any attacks against Christianity without cause by those in government leadership."

For those candidates campaigning now for the highest office in our land:

• May their lives show love for country, family, and godly values.
• May they speak truth, stay on issues and be accurate with facts.
• May their agendas be clear as to the intent of their goals for governing America.
• May they and their political action groups show discernment and restraint in ad campaigns.
• May they not use personal destruction or defamation of another to win an election.
• Give the electorate wisdom to see through heavy-handed, high-handed tactics designed to confuse or threaten thinking men and women.
• Keep all candidates on the issues: Sanctity of life, of marriage, and of family; national security; reducing the national debt; improving education; enforcement and reform of immigration laws; unemployment; and the threat of European style socialization of the nation's resources. 

For candidates to elevate truth as in 1Tim 6:3-6; 2Tim 2:14-19:

• They not manipulate the truth.
• They not fabricate truth.
• That they would postulate truth.
• That they would elevate truth.
• That true godliness would be revealed in their lives.

"DIBS" ON THE BLESSINGS OF GOD FOR SUCH A 

NATION WITH LEADERS AND CITIZENS  LIKE THIS