tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29148487774705270962024-03-13T08:58:35.173-07:00Walk'n' Talk'n' ChristianWalk'n' Talk'n' Christian is meant to help others walk the walk and talk the talk. It is aimed at both believers and non-believes with an emphasis on spreading the redeeming and wonderful message of Christ.E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-77314495290613729202019-04-30T20:40:00.000-07:002019-04-30T20:40:13.950-07:00Completely Fooled<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNDzwid31lA/XMkU5qhE5aI/AAAAAAAAAW8/46qbUzjDgV45CcFHgu9pyr9rrlR9fR6KACLcBGAs/s1600/john146.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNDzwid31lA/XMkU5qhE5aI/AAAAAAAAAW8/46qbUzjDgV45CcFHgu9pyr9rrlR9fR6KACLcBGAs/s320/john146.jpg" width="320" height="215" data-original-width="274" data-original-height="184" /></a><br />
<br />
How did we get to this point<br />
When the simplest insinuation<br />
Or the most unscientific “facts”<br />
Can cause the masses to panic<br />
In fear of a global disaster<br />
It all flies in the face of reason<br />
<br />
How did we get to this point<br />
When a life it labeled a fetus<br />
A meaningless blob of tissue<br />
With not a single right to live<br />
Not a single right for protection<br />
Equated essentially to garbage<br />
<br />
How did we get to this point<br />
When miracles are labeled chance<br />
Where life developed from nothing<br />
Where one cell leads to mankind and<br />
God is eliminated from the equation<br />
<br />
How did we get to this point<br />
Where failure is not really failure<br />
Disasters are political fodder<br />
The left is America’s nemesis and<br />
The right has lost its spine<br />
<br />
How did we get to this point?<br />
It’s actually quite simple<br />
We forgot Who got us here<br />
We turned out backs on Him<br />
We lost our Way<br />
Our Truth <br />
And our Life<br />
<br />
“If My people who are called by My name<br />
will humble themselves and pray<br />
and seek My face <br />
and turn from their wicked ways<br />
then I will hear from Heaven<br />
and I will forgive their sin<br />
and will heal their land.”<br />
<br />
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-15053214760768240102014-04-18T07:07:00.000-07:002014-04-18T07:07:01.574-07:00The Darkest Friday<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvqstKuQXE8/U1ExQ2yoMSI/AAAAAAAAAHo/hZeyaooNJQU/s1600/On+the+cross.bmp" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvqstKuQXE8/U1ExQ2yoMSI/AAAAAAAAAHo/hZeyaooNJQU/s320/On+the+cross.bmp" /></a><br />
<br />
The darkest Friday in history<br />
Documented over and over<br />
An events that is solidly true<br />
It cannot be logically denied<br />
Yet many demean it<br />
Many deny it<br />
Many ignore it<br />
To their own demise<br />
But deep inside<br />
We all know it happened<br />
We all realize the truth<br />
None of us can deny it<br />
He died for us<br />
All of us<br />
Every soul living at the time<br />
And everyone since<br />
He took the sin of the world<br />
Past, present, and future<br />
On His strong shoulders<br />
And up on the cross<br />
As an atonement<br />
For our transgressions<br />
So that we may gain entrance<br />
Into His Heaven<br />
Without questioning<br />
For eternity<br />
He paved the way<br />
For our salvation<br />
Our eternal life<br />
With Him<br />
Because of what He did<br />
On the darkest Friday<br />
And all He asks from us<br />
To make His sacrifice worthwhile<br />
Is to believe in Him<br />
Confess to Him<br />
Repent to Him<br />
Follow Him<br />
Live for Him<br />
And, if necessary<br />
Die for Him<br />
As He died for us<br />
On the darkest Friday<br />
<br />
© 2009 Earl Parsons<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-42719567025662678092014-04-03T07:59:00.002-07:002014-04-03T07:59:37.191-07:00The LightHark, in the distance, a light I see<br />
Lighting the dark around me<br />
I fell to my knees<br />
I could see<br />
Clear<br />
<br />
So long the darkness encircled me<br />
Trapped and lost, I could not flee<br />
Would I soon be free<br />
Could that be<br />
Fear<br />
<br />
Fear that this light would go out on me<br />
Closer it came; I could see<br />
He’s coming for me<br />
Glory be!<br />
Tear<br />
<br />
© 2014 Earl Parsons<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-84714951293353789012014-04-03T07:53:00.001-07:002014-04-03T07:53:15.609-07:00A MessengerShe queried “Why?” with furrowed brow.<br />
“Why did Jesus have to suffer and die?<br />
He could have just told everyone His story.<br />
I’d still believe Him,<br />
‘Cause I know Jesus wouldn’t lie.”<br />
<br />
“He could have performed more miracles.<br />
Enough to convince everyone He was God.<br />
Why did my Savior have to be crucified?<br />
He was perfect,<br />
How could anyone believe He was a fraud?”<br />
<br />
The emotion of her question set me back.<br />
I’d taught the reasons why time after time.<br />
I knew it wasn’t easy for the mind to comprehend.<br />
Murder is a sin,<br />
To crucify an innocent man had to be a crime.<br />
<br />
“It was all part of God’s perfect plan, you see.<br />
For centuries the prophets predicted this event.<br />
I know it was cruel, but it had to be done.<br />
The blood of Jesus,<br />
This was the fulfillment of God’s new covenant.”<br />
<br />
“What the people did was wrong, very wrong.<br />
But think about the outcome of it all.<br />
Jesus is waiting for you beside His Father God,<br />
He’s still alive,<br />
And if you listen close, you can hear His call.”<br />
<br />
Her expression changed; then suddenly she smiled.<br />
“I know He’s alive, He lives inside my heart.<br />
I also know why He had to die that way.<br />
You’ve taught me well,<br />
Jesus will be happy; you’ve done your part.”<br />
<br />
Then, without warning, she gave me a hug.<br />
How could I think she hadn’t understood?<br />
After all, I’m just a messenger for Him.<br />
The truth be known,<br />
Only God could teach that good.<br />
<br />
© 2014 Earl Parsons<br />
(Modified for PAD challenge from a 2003 poem)<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-62653983506187863922014-02-18T13:19:00.003-08:002014-02-18T13:19:39.124-08:00Where Hope Finds MeDredging in the doldrums of sorrow and pain<br />
The past but a parade of badly made choices<br />
Bad choices that got me exactly where I stood<br />
At the lowest point in the valley of desperation<br />
Drowning in the impossibility of resurrection<br />
From my self-made prison of hopelessness<br />
<br />
Then through the flood of self-pitied tears<br />
As I stared down for fear of glimpsing doom<br />
I saw a shadow stretching from behind me<br />
But there was no sun for to cast this silhouette<br />
Quickly I turned that I might see for myself<br />
And I saw; and I fell to my knees in utter fear<br />
<br />
For the shadow grew larger as it came for me<br />
Close now, its red glowing eyes shone bright<br />
Black and cold it pointed a bony finger my way<br />
My frozen soul ached at the pull of pure evil<br />
Through thought that this evil could be my relief<br />
My escape from the despair of hopeless misery<br />
<br />
My life flashed before me, the good and the bad<br />
Then all thoughts stopped at one exact moment<br />
The day I rejected the One they called Jesus<br />
I’d pushed Him away and paved my own path<br />
A path fraught with bad choices, pain and strife<br />
Bad choices that got me exactly where I stood<br />
<br />
That moment would not depart from my brain<br />
Would this be the torture I’d carry for eternity<br />
Reliving the instant I rejected His mercy<br />
Just so I could do things the way I decided<br />
Decisions that have turned my life upside down<br />
Decisions that got me exactly where I stood<br />
<br />
I didn’t need Him then, but I need Him so now<br />
But, alas, I fear it must be too late to save me<br />
I’m unworthy, filthy, corrupted and immoral<br />
A heart of wickedness; an unsalvageable soul<br />
Not a decent bone in this wasted walking corpse<br />
I’m not even worthy of an eternity in Hell<br />
<br />
I crumpled to the ground as regret flooded in<br />
Why had I pushed away the hope of all mankind<br />
If only I had one last chance to accept His grace<br />
One chance to set my feet on the righteous path<br />
Forgive me, Lord, for turning my back on You<br />
That moment will be my torture forevermore<br />
<br />
Then I felt a gentle hand, softly on my shoulder<br />
I heard a voice so calming whisper in my ear<br />
I looked up and I saw Jesus smiling down at me<br />
He called me son as He took my hand in love<br />
Tears of joy filled my eyes as He lifted me up<br />
Hope had found me in the depths of my despair<br />
<br />
© 2014 Earl Parsons<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-8686219934937391232013-08-30T06:24:00.002-07:002013-08-30T06:24:19.762-07:00PerfectionEternity awaits for all who seek<br />
Eternity on high forevermore<br />
Oh, how we’d change our minds if we could peek<br />
Just one quick glimpse inside through Heaven’s door<br />
<br />
Just close your eyes<br />
Ask God so wise<br />
Then visualize<br />
Perfection<br />
<br />
He will give you the glimpse that you seek<br />
Unfathomable, mindboggling perfection<br />
All you’ll ever need to make you believe<br />
Eternity awaits for all who seek<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-69431361685456910212013-07-04T08:45:00.002-07:002013-07-04T08:45:42.285-07:00I Wish We’d All Been ReadyAn evening quite some time ago<br />
A concert in New Brunswick<br />
Woodstock, if I’m not mistaken<br />
On a cold Canadian night<br />
The music played<br />
And the crowd praised the Lord<br />
Me included<br />
Although not sure I belonged there<br />
Until the end<br />
When the invitation began<br />
<br />
“The King is Coming’ started<br />
And the pressure mounted<br />
My hands began to sweat<br />
Then my brow<br />
And down my neck<br />
My heart rate increased<br />
As they made their case<br />
For heaven or hell<br />
If only I could make it through<br />
This song, I could go home<br />
But then,<br />
It went on<br />
Verse after verse<br />
Word after word<br />
Eating at my lost soul<br />
Calling me to repent<br />
And give in<br />
To a Savior<br />
That I needed to know<br />
But didn’t<br />
Or wouldn’t<br />
<br />
Then it ended<br />
The song, that is<br />
And several people bumped their way by me<br />
On their way to the front<br />
Answering the call<br />
The call I was fighting<br />
Could I go home now?<br />
<br />
Then the voice over the loudspeaker said<br />
“Now is your time….your time to answer His call”<br />
Then another song started<br />
More powerful than the last<br />
A song that hit me hard<br />
A song that broke me down<br />
A song that started my feet moving<br />
Toward the front<br />
To accept Him<br />
Once and for all<br />
<br />
“A man and wife alone in bed<br />
She hears a noise<br />
And turns her head<br />
He’s gone<br />
I wish we’d all been ready.”<br />
<br />
“I wish we’d all been ready”<br />
A sad song of truth<br />
About those left behind<br />
When the eye twinkles<br />
And He returns for His own<br />
To take us forever<br />
With Him<br />
On high<br />
That’s where I’ll be<br />
Because thanks to that night<br />
And that song<br />
I am ready<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-89739134638873408552013-06-24T08:19:00.001-07:002013-06-24T08:19:28.486-07:00My LifeI present to the Lord my life<br />
After all, He gave it to me<br />
Of course, I have freedom of choice<br />
I could do with it what I wish<br />
<br />
But to keep it would be wrong, so<br />
I present to the Lord my life<br />
I submit to His perfect will<br />
And I trust Him to get me through<br />
<br />
For so long I went the wrong way<br />
Years of lost darkness now must end<br />
I present to the Lord my life<br />
The Prodigal Son has returned<br />
<br />
To the safety of loving arms<br />
Communion with the Only One<br />
Never more to roam in darkness<br />
I present to the Lord my life<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-6520774667957026132013-06-07T08:31:00.001-07:002013-06-07T08:31:10.788-07:00His LoveHis love will never fail<br />
Though we fail Him each day<br />
We fail to walk His way<br />
We fail and fail and fail<br />
His love for us prevails<br />
He’ll take our sins away<br />
<br />
He loves with love supreme<br />
There is no greater love<br />
A love from God above<br />
A love above extreme<br />
Too much love it would seem<br />
Can there be too much love<br />
<br />
He is the only One<br />
God’s love comes through His Son<br />
<br />
© 2013 Earl Parsons<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-37367884461817131672013-06-01T07:12:00.003-07:002013-06-01T07:12:44.194-07:00A Warning From GodWhen our lives are so full of everyday worries<br />
And we can't slow down 'cause the world's in a hurry,<br />
We're so afraid we'll get trampled by the speeding crowd<br />
And we haven't the courage to quit, 'cause we're proud,<br />
We wonder when this madness will end.<br />
<br />
When we deal with our mate and the kids aren't the best,<br />
And it looks more and more like we're flunking life's test.<br />
When we feel like our efforts are all wasted in vain,<br />
Is there no one who cares or will share in our pain?<br />
All we need is a word from a friend.<br />
<br />
As we get older and our health starts to fade,<br />
Neglected because of all the sacrifices we've made.<br />
Giving so much to others that we've forgotten ourselves,<br />
We dare set and wonder if we've done our part well.<br />
Or do we wish we could do it again?.<br />
<br />
Then there comes a time when it piles on so thick<br />
That our systems shut down, and we think we've been licked.<br />
But it's just a little warning from the Good Lord above,<br />
Telling us to slow down and reconnect with His love.<br />
We should listen, or it could be our end.<br />
<br />
No matter how God chooses to communicate,<br />
We'd better realize it's Him, or it may be too late.<br />
He may pinch our heart, or take away someone dear.<br />
Or he may put us out of circulation for a year.<br />
These are warnings from your best friend.<br />
<br />
So, don't blame life's troubles on the Lord.<br />
He's just trying to get you back in His Word.<br />
All He wants is for you to bring yourself back to Him.<br />
He will hear your cry for help and forgive your sin.<br />
And you'll be back where you belong, again.<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-28465900430535690502013-05-14T08:58:00.003-07:002013-05-14T08:58:47.763-07:00Blinding DarknessA smile so bright <br />
On a cheerful face<br />
He drew them in by the thousands<br />
He held up the Book<br />
Shouting the message<br />
Of mercy and salvation<br />
He sang and prayed<br />
Wept for their souls<br />
Then a passionate invitation<br />
The people came<br />
For the grace of God<br />
And a free pass into Heaven<br />
<br />
But after the tent was empty<br />
And all the people had gone home<br />
The bright smile turned to smugness<br />
The cheerful face turned to stone<br />
As the preacher retreated into himself<br />
And the darkness of an empty soul<br />
The thrill of it all filled his ego<br />
It was nothing more than a good show<br />
<br />
Now another night to fight the voice<br />
The voice that calls for repentance<br />
But Satan fights on the other side<br />
With pictures of long past remembrance <br />
<br />
For in this man’s past there was love loss<br />
A wife and three children lay slain<br />
At the hands of a old friend gone madman<br />
Still he blamed God for all of this pain<br />
<br />
His only escape from pure madness<br />
Is when he lets loose in the tent<br />
He does God’s work for an hour a night<br />
Spends the rest of his time in torment<br />
<br />
When will he realize<br />
The message he preaches<br />
Is the only escape from<br />
The blinding darkness<br />
E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-7688691806153070002011-11-28T17:56:00.001-08:002011-11-28T17:57:15.503-08:00The BookLoved and hated<br />
Revered and reviled<br />
Protected and destroyed<br />
Preserved and burned<br />
Believed and mocked<br />
Translated and twisted<br />
Used and abused<br />
Read and ignored<br />
Loved and hated<br />
<br />
Never proven wrong<br />
Survived through time<br />
Still relevant<br />
Still true<br />
Still number one<br />
<br />
The tests of time have<br />
Only made it stronger<br />
The truths within<br />
Remain true<br />
It is the most loved<br />
Most hated<br />
Most read<br />
Most ignored<br />
Book in existence<br />
<br />
<br />E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-56616897658023761482011-05-08T09:07:00.000-07:002011-05-08T09:08:31.020-07:00Mother's DayHappy Mother’s Day<br />By Earl Parsons<br /><br />May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice! Proverbs 23:26<br /><br /> “May she who gave you birth rejoice!” What more should we ask of our mothers than to rejoice because of us? That we should grow up in a manner that is not only pleasing to our mothers but also would make them rejoice, is a dream come true. I pray that my mother rejoices over me.<br /> Our mothers do so much for us. They carry us for nine long months, care for us when we’re sick, wipe our bottoms and change our diapers. They teach us to talk and walk. They carry us on their hips, stay close to us day in and day out, and teach us the real meaning of love. Even when we fail them, they forgive and forget and get back to the assignment of raising us. Our mothers are the reason we are here. Thank God for our mothers.<br /> On this Mother’s Day, we all need to remember the one who brought us into this world. If she has passed on, lay a flower on her grave. If she is still alive, send her something special. Even if you don’t get along with her, for whatever reason, do something to let her know that you’re still alive and that you appreciate the life she took time to grant you. Regardless of the situation you may be in, take time this Mother’s Day to do something for your mother.<br /> But most of all, we should love our mothers and not be afraid to tell them. Make that the real point of this Mother’s Day; tell mom, “I love you.”<br /><br />Prayer: Thank You, Dear Lord, for my mother.<br /><br /><br /><br />A Mother’s Legacy<br />By Earl Parsons<br /><br />Tasked by God, their destiny in life<br />To pass in pain the next generation<br />To bear, to care for the next in line<br />The role accepted by willing women<br /><br />Nine long months with child within<br />Maternal bonds grow strong between<br />Mother and child share all but soul<br />Two together, still one yet unseen<br /><br />Then comes the day, the miracle, birth<br />Life springs forth, and God smiles down<br />Another wonder of His great love<br />Another diamond in mankind’s crown<br /><br />All made possible by women willing<br />Through pain and tears bore you and me<br />The sacrifice years long they gave<br />As has been throughout history<br /><br />Since Eve, until the end of time<br />Mankind will be their cross to bear<br />To pass life down from now to next<br />A Mother’s legacy, each one so rare<br /><br />For all who give life, God bless each one<br />For each sacrifice, He has a reward<br />For Mother dear, thank you for my life<br />And for your love, I thank the LordE J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-73621683417525006412011-03-16T11:42:00.000-07:002011-03-16T11:43:15.407-07:00Eternal InvasionBy Earl Parsons<br /><br />That voice<br />So small at first<br />It started way back <br />When I was quite young<br />When my thoughts became real<br />And I started thinking for myself<br /><br />That voice<br />Gentle and calm<br />Proclaiming the truth<br />Beckoning me to respond<br />Peaceful, soothing and loving<br />So real, I knew it wasn’t a dream<br /><br />That voice<br />From deep inside<br />Calling to my heart<br />“Put out the welcome mat<br />And open up your heart’s door<br />That I may abide with you forever.”<br /><br />That voice<br />So full of love<br />Not forceful at all<br />Convincing, none the less<br />Letting me make the choice<br />Because it’s my decision to make<br /><br />My choice<br />Says the voice<br />I control the key<br />I’ll make up my mind<br />My eternity is in my hands<br />I can decide now or down the road<br /><br />My choice<br />Eternity at stake<br />The voice accentuates<br />With a gentle, loving tone<br />Pleading for my soul’s response<br />Waiting peacefully outside my heart<br /><br />My choice<br />And mine alone<br />Foolish not to choose<br />To follow his beckoning<br />Insane not to open the door<br />Idiotic to reject this eternal invasion<br /><br />My choice<br />Open the door<br />Let him clean house<br />And put him in charge<br />Give him the keys to my life<br />Let Him be my Lord and Savior<br /><br />That voice<br />My choiceE J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-16932082250932215502010-03-07T22:10:00.001-08:002010-03-07T22:10:37.431-08:00Be a HeroOur senior pastor was out today, so Brother Mark filled in as he has on so many occasions. I always like listening to Brother Mark preach, because he mixes humor with just the right amount of reality and he always has a great message to his madness. This morning was no different. <br /><br />Amoung all the points he had to his morning message, the one thing that stuck out to me was when he talked about heroes. He talked about Hollywood heroes, political heroes, heroes from the past, and, finally, Christian heroes and heroes in our own church. He stated that we should all have heroes and that we should acknowledge these heroes and let them know why they are our heroes or what they did that made them our heroes. Heroes, to Brother Mark, are a good thing, as long as they remain heroes, and we don't elevate them to idols. But, I digress. <br /><br />After listening to his sermon, I began to think about the real meaning of heroes. Heroes are people that other people look up to because of who they are or what they've done, especially in ways that effect those that consider them heroes. The more I thought about the importance of heroes, the more I agreed that we all need heroes in our lives. And the more I though that we all need heroes, the more I realized that I already had heroes, and alway have had them throughout my life. But, that's a story for another time. <br /><br />Another thing dawned on me when it comes to heroes. I believe, with all of my heart, that each and every one of us should strive to be a hero to someone else. Whether it's a relative, a friend, a co-worker, or a perfect stranger, we can all be heroes in one way or another. We can all do special things for others. We can all treat others as we want to be treated. We can live our lives in a way that others will notice and want to emulate. And we can all love one another with the love of the Greatest Hero, Jesus Christ. <br /><br />So, I'm challenging everyone to not only recognize, acknowledge and appreciate the heroes in your lives, but to become one as well. I'm going to challenge everyone to start living a hero's life. Start this very moment living a life that touches others in ways that will change their lives and make them take notice. And, most importantly, do your level best to emulate the Greatest Hero. If you strive to live like Christ, you'll surely be a hero to many more than you know.E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-48262346952184333402010-02-21T22:18:00.001-08:002010-02-21T22:20:52.008-08:00Christ ReducedI heard it through the grapevine that Elton John proclaimed that Jesus was a compassionate gay man. So, I looked it up online and found that the rumor was true. In fact, the exact quote was, "I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him." His statement is confusing, since he hasn't a very good opinion of religion in the first place. After all, he told Observer's Music Monthly magazine in 2006, “Religion promotes hatred and spite against gays. From my point of view, I would ban religion completely."<br /><br />I guess these two statements aren't that hard to analyze, especially when you take into consideration that Elton John is an openly gay man on a crusade for homosexual acceptance. And even the contradictions can be explained when you consider the multiple fronts that the homosexual movement attacks from. When one front doesn't work the way it is intended, then why not try it from a different angle? It works in social and political arenas, and, after all, the gay issue is a combination of both, wouldn't you say? Anyway, here's the way I see these two conflicting statements by Elton John: <br /><br />In 2006, he told the truth about his feelings on religion. And, in a way, without being specific about which religion or religions, he was right. Some religions shun homosexuals. Others ban them. Still, others mistreat, imprison, torture, or behead them. This maltreatment is not right in any way, but the reality is that it happens, and many times it happens under the laws set forth through religions of one sort or another. <br /><br />But, that was 2006. Now, four short years later, Sir Elton seems to have changed his tune about religion and has decided to use Jesus Christ to elicit sympathy for his cause. It doesn’t seem to be enough, however, to simply say that Jesus forgave and that we should follow His lead. No, he has to go to the point of actually demeaning our Lord by bringing Him down to the level of humans and even lower to the level of a specific group of humans. What Sir Elton has chosen to do is to simply drag Jesus through the mud of immorality in order to gain sympathy, when, in fact, he loathes religion and would ban it if he could. And he does this with no explanation, no proof and no remorse.<br /><br />This action is not new, of course. Jesus has been demeaned and reduced for centuries by those that do not believe in Him, but feel that they can use His name for their own gain. Recently, however, this trend has exploded and is becoming more and more acceptable by the general public. But just in case you have trouble believing that, here are a few examples:<br /><br />- The Reverent Wright, President Obama’s pastor for 20 years, preaches black theology which teaches that Jesus was actually black, and that the black people are the true chosen people. This directly contradicts the Holy Bible, but many preachers in the African American community are teaching this drivel, and people are falling for it.<br /><br />- Dan Brown, author of the DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons, takes the holiness and godliness of Jesus and reduces Him to a flawed and weak human that married and fathered children on His way to the cross. Taking the spotlight off of His divine nature and shining it on His human side, with assumptions and inferences to boot, reduce Jesus in ways that make Him look like just any one of us.<br /><br />- The sick and twisted creators of South Park have been conducting an all out reduction campaign against Christ, morality, decency, and human values. I’m sure that if you’ve watched this poor excuse for entertainment, you’ve witnessed the way they treat the Messiah. If, on the other hand, you’ve never watched the show, don’t.<br /><br />- And now the television censors have decided that taking the Lord’s name in vain is perfectly acceptable, while they continue to bleep out other profanities. To me, it is infinitely more offensive to hear someone take the name of Jesus in vain than any other profanity in our language. But, that’s me.<br /><br />What I’m getting at is this: We should never reduce the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for any purpose. The Lord Jesus Christ should always be honored and worshiped as the Savior of the world and the One and Only True and Living God, because He is. Most assuredly, however, the lost will continue to demean Christ in any way they can, whether it is to mock Him or use Him for their own selfish gain or cause. But we, as followers of Christ, have a responsibility to defend His name and His holiness, and lovingly and compassionately let the offenders know that they are wrong in what they do. Then we need to pray for their lost souls.E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-62641166575559232842010-02-15T09:10:00.001-08:002010-02-15T09:10:43.920-08:00Start the week with GodSo often we spend our Sundays sitting in front of the boob tube or wasting our day just wasting time. All too often we forget that Sunday is a day that has been set aside as a time to praise and worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and spend with our families making memories. Why is that? <br /><br />I guess it's because we have lost our focus on life. We've forgotten our purpose. We've downgraded our Lord to the point that He's not even in the top 10 of our priorities. And, sadly, we've been drugged into believing that our God and our families aren't worth the effort. <br /><br />And what can we do to change things around and get back on track? Well, there's a lot we can do, like begin and end every day in prayer, read and actually study God's Word, and love our neighbors as ourselves. We can fall in love with our families all over again. And we can strive to get one step closer to God each and every day of our lives. <br /><br />Not much to ask. Right? Just a little change to our routine, Right? To tell you the truth, for most of us, it will require a great big change in our routine. Right? But, we can do it, if we try, and if we truly want to. <br /><br />So, let's start simple. Let's vow for this next week to add prayer to our daily lives. Oh, we don't have to hide in the closet and quietly converse with the Lord or stand on a busy street corner with Bible in hand screaming to the Almighty. Of course, if you choose to do this, then by all means. It would probably be a little easier if we started each morning with a couple minutes of quiet time prayer, then whenever we need to give a quick shout-out to the Lord, we can send up a silent request or two. No need to telegraph what we're doing. No need to get anyone else involved. Just the need to communicate with the Lord throughout the day to have Him help us with our decisions, temptations, and whatever else crosses our paths. Then we can end each day with another prayer before we go to sleep. <br /><br />So, try that this week. Pray morning and night and throughout the day. Get used to lifting up your prayers to the Lord. The more you pray, the easier it gets, and the more you want to call upon His name. <br /><br />Now, have a great week, and God bless.E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-44341677553969271332009-03-12T18:20:00.000-07:002009-03-12T18:22:43.583-07:00God can bring down the strongestThis is a devotional I wrote several years ago. With the current state of affairs in this country, it is worth reprinting. I hope you like it.<br /><br /><br /> The only existing empire on this earth is the United States of America. There is no nation as powerful, as rich, or as beautiful. In a relatively short time, the USA has risen to the top, thanks to the blessings of the Lord God and the faith of our forefathers. Regardless of what some may say, we are a Christian nation.<br /><br /> As of late we have had to endure an onslaught of unbelieving zealots who want all mention of God out of America. He was pushed out of public schools in the early 60s and Satan quickly entered to fill the void. The Pledge of Allegiance, our national motto, and even the Constitution are being taken to court because they make references to God. The Bible has been reduced to a collection of stories, and the Book itself is no longer used in most courtrooms to swear in witnesses.<br /><br /> We are descending down a slippery slope leading to the day when we give ourselves all the credit for our greatness. We are treading on dangerous ground.<br /><br />“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you live in the clefts of the rocks and make you home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make you nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down?” says the Lord. Obadiah 3-4<br /><br /> Prayer: I pray for my country, today, Lord. I pray that our leaders will return to Your graces and boldly proclaim their belief in You, for without You, this nation would be nothing. Please, Lord, help us to return to the greatness of old with You as our God.E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-48450188353391470572008-11-26T19:07:00.000-08:002008-11-26T19:12:39.449-08:002 Chronicles 7:14<span style="font-family:times new roman;"><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong>If<br /></strong>which indicates a choice </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>My people,<br /></strong>those who are chosen by God </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>who are called</strong><br />but so often are not listening </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>by My name,<br /></strong>and no other name </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>will<br /></strong>again, there is a choice </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>humble themselves<br /></strong>realize they are in need of His help </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>and pray<br /></strong>which they should have been doing all along </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>and seek My face<br /></strong>actually look for God with open eyes and hearts </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>and turn from<br /></strong>not a 360 or 270 or 90, but a 180 </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>their<br /></strong>not anyone else’s </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>wicked ways,<br /></strong>which are any ways not approved by God </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>then<br /></strong>not later, not before, but right then </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>will I hear<br /></strong>because, unlike us, God is always listening </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>from heaven<br /></strong>because that is where He listens from </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>and will<br /></strong>God’s promise </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>forgive their sins<br /></strong>hallelujah, praise His name </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>and will<br /></strong>another promise </div><div align="center"><br /><strong>heal their land<br /></strong>because we, as His people, need our land healed</div><div align="center"></span> </div>E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-33642257941657742092008-11-13T18:41:00.000-08:002008-11-13T18:43:02.657-08:00In My Grandfather's Day<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">When I was quite young, my parents got divorced and my father moved 20 miles up the road. To me, that was a very long ways away, and I rarely got to see him. On top of that, my mother decided, with my help, that it would be best if my grandparents raised me, so, at the tender age of six, I was legally adopted, along with my older brother, and moved even further from my father. The visits became even rarer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some men just aren’t cut out for the role of dad. Some try, but never reach the level of sacrifice and unselfishness that is required to be a dad. Many don’t even try. I think that was the path my dad took. He just didn’t want to be a father, nor did he want to accept the responsibilities of being one. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But God knew my father’s heart and my need for an honest and loving father figure. So, He tapped my grandfather on the shoulder and put him in my life. And he stepped up to the plate and accepted the assignment of raising both me and my brother. In the voluntary absence of my biological father, my grandfather did a bang-up job. Thank You, Lord, for the best grandfather that ever walked this earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Thanks to my grandfather, I feel that I am a much better father and grandfather than I would have been if my biological father had tried to raise me. Why? It would be because my grandfather was cut from the cloth of responsibility and sacrifice. He knew that things had to be done, and he was more than willing to do them, especially when it came to flesh and blood. He was a great man who died far too young.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But before he died, he instilled in me the desire to be the best father and grandfather that I could be. He showed me how to love, how to work, and how to put the needs of others before mine. He was, by far, the greatest man in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">When I think about him, I often wonder just where men like him have gone. Once upon a time, our great nation was nearly overrun by men who were willing to accept responsibilities and do what was best for their wives and children. Upstanding Christian fathers were all over the place, and they were willing to not only uphold the standards, set by God, they were willing to live the standards.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In my grandfather’s day, the vast majority of men chose to do whatever was necessary to make their families the best they could be. Today, far too many men run as soon as the going gets tough.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In my grandfather’s day, a man was head of the household, responsible for their protection, their provisions, and their happiness. Today, the man’s role has been reduced to no more than a bumbling buffoon, ruled by his wife, and insignificant in the raising of his children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In my grandfather’s day, a man was the spiritual leader of his family. He was the first to go to church; the first to teach the Bible to his family, and the first to pray for their needs. Today, most men have a hard time finding the Ten Commandments in the Bible, let alone knowing what they mean or how to use them to set a Christian example.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In my grandfather’s day, a father showed unconditional love for his family. In fact, many men worked themselves to death to take care of their loved ones, and many others gave their lives so that their loved ones could continue to live. In other words, fathers were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for those they loved. Today, very few men seem to be willing to give up a day on the golf course to attend an event their children are involved in. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So, what’s the difference between my grandfather’s day and today? Why have fathers in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> changed so much? Have our expectations changed? Has society effectively removed fathers from their position as leader of the family? And what about the fathers who still want to be like the fathers were in my grandfather’s day? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We could blame society, women’s liberation, the liberal movement, or any number of reasons for the decline of the role of American fathers. After all, society no longer recognizes men as men. The women’s lib movement does everything it can to demoralize the male species. And the liberal agenda is so focused on moral relativity that their misguided sense of right and wrong has no room for those they feel have dominated the world for so long. With all of these forces working against fathers, it no wonder we’re no longer the backbone of our families, let alone the backbone of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In my grandfather’s day, fathers were fathers. Of course, Christianity was accepted, men and women were different, and children looked up to their parents and to God for guidance. We need to return to the way things were in my grandfather’s day. All fathers need to step up to the plate and be the fathers they were meant to be. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-36906010874614178022008-10-17T19:11:00.000-07:002008-10-17T19:16:47.833-07:00Age-Earned Respect<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:10;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><i style=""><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:32</span><o:p></o:p></span></i><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%; font-family: times new roman;"> Now that I am nearing the silver status of my existence, I feel that I have earned some respect from those younger than me. Of course, respect based simply on the grayness of my hair or the wrinkles under my eyes is really no respect at all in this day and age. You see, in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place>, the aged are more often left on their own than revered. Age no longer means what it once meant.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;font-family:times new roman;"><span style=""> </span> But, it should. As a matter of fact, it should mean more now than at any other time in the history of our great nation. It is now, when our country is in turmoil that we should turn to the aged and wise for guidance. We should lift them up and seek their wisdom before it’s too late. Instead, we treat them like fools and hide them away in old folk’s homes or retirement villages. And there we leave them, to be ignored and forgotten.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;font-family:times new roman;"><span style=""> </span> In doing this injustice, we deny God’s command to respect the elderly. We forget from whence we gained our abilities to survive, at the same time eliminating the link to the past the next generation so desperately needs. This trend will mean the undoing of our future.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;font-family:times new roman;"><span style=""> </span> We need the aged and wise to help us remember our roots and our mistakes, lest we make the same mistakes again. We need the aged and wise to remind us of how we got here, and Who is ultimately responsible for our prosperity. We need the aged and wise to stimulate the voice of the Spirit that calls to us to do God’s will. Without the aged and wise, that voice is waning. Before long, it will be silent.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;font-family:times new roman;"><span style=""> </span> The aged and wise have earned respect. And so has God. It is up to us to renew that spark of respect and reverence in this generation before the fire goes out, and the elderly are forgotten altogether. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;font-family:times new roman;"><span style=""> </span> I know that I don’t want to be shoved into an old folk’s home or retirement village and forgotten. I have a lot to pass on to the younger generation, and I do not want to be disrespected or silenced. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;font-family:times new roman;"><span style=""> </span> Help me Lord, to instill in the younger generation a desire to respect the elderly not only for their age, but for their wisdom and what they can pass on to help the youth of this country survive. Dear God, we need their wisdom and their example, lest we stray by our own disrespect.</p>E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-28459378065683566762008-10-10T04:30:00.000-07:002008-10-10T04:32:54.860-07:00Yes, Jesus Loves You<o:p> </o:p> <p class="MsoNormal">Drowning in convictions, he waits patiently<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For his time in the spotlight; his Bible at his side<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The music is erupting; thousands on their feet<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lifting praises to <st2:givenname st="on">Jesus</st2:GivenName>, their souls open wide<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All but preparation for the Word yet to come<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The music, the lights; they soften every heart<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Soon, they all are willing to hear the Lord speak<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Through His servant’s lips will come spiritual sparks<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The words of the music sooth his nervousness<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The love of the Father sewn throughout each line<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In silent prayer he waits, his moment at hand<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The music fades, he prays, “Your will, not mine.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He comes into the spotlight; all eyes are now on him<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All ears are awaiting his message of truth<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then God takes control; the message is clear<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He wants them to know simply, Jesus loves you<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, <st2:givenname st="on">Jesus</st2:GivenName> loves you!” he boldly confesses<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“He loves you, and you, and He even loves me.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">His love goes beyond anything you can imagine.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">His love didn’t end on the cross at <st1:place st="on">Calvary</st1:place>.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, Jesus loves you!” again he repeats<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I know this to be true, yes, indeed I do.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And His love will go on forever and forever<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He’s got more than enough love for all of you.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, Jesus loves you! Will you love Him back?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Will you give your life to Him without reservation?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He’s waiting for your answer, don’t waver too long.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He’s coming back soon; no time for hesitation.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then His servant grows silent, a hush fills the church<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then His Spirit takes hold and hearts start to break<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As prayers rise, the tears fall, and Jesus is praised<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As more realize that it’s their eternity at stake<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Revival takes place through one broken soul at a time<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As the cries for salvation come from pew after pew<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And the angels in Heaven rejoice with each tear<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For ‘tis here they now know, “Yes, Jesus loves you!”</p>E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914848777470527096.post-87474116520016971222008-10-04T15:17:00.000-07:002008-10-04T16:06:45.409-07:00The New Minority<span style="font-size:10;"><o:p> </o:p></span>When this great country of ours was formed, one obvious majority existed. Without them, America would not have been born, because, without their leader, the colonists would not have been willing or able to break away from the motherland. Their leader was the spark that ignited the Boston Tea Party, the inspiration for the Declaration of Independence, and the courage that allowed victory on the battlefield. Their leader was God. <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">And the majority was the Christian men, women and children who were willing to give their lives for the cause of freedom. With God at their side and Jesus in their hearts, they overcame the power of the British forces and laid claim to <i>a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">Through the fortitude and faith of these Christians, this nation became the most powerful and prosperous on earth. From sea to shining sea, America became the standard for all other democracies to strive for. We became a shining city, blessed by the grace of God, built by the blood, sweat and tears of a Christian majority. That’s a fact.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">But, over the years, things began to change. Slowly but surely greed and pride festered our society and we no longer looked to God for the guidance that He so lovingly wanted to provide. He who made us great no longer got the credit for our greatness. He who protected us from evil for so long, was no longer relied upon for that protection. No longer a part of our daily routine, we only sought God when the chips were down. Our society had put Him in a box, and, in doing so, reduced our once vocally and proud Christian majority to a nearly silent and disillusioned minority.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">Although there have always been anti-Christian zealots who’s primary purpose was to stifle the message of truth, this movement took off in the early ‘60s when the Supreme Court deemed prayer and Bible reading unconstitutional in our public schools. Since then, every conceivable ill related to our youth has increased, including teenage pregnancy, drug use, murder, the dropout rate, teen suicide, abortions and all forms of sexual immorality. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">Of course, some statistics have dropped, such as test scores, our students’ educational standing when compared to other civilized countries, and the desire for young people to attend church or enlist in the military to protect the freedom of others. Sadly, almost every traceable statistic concerning our youth and our country changed for the worst in the early ‘60s. And that’s a fact.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">Another trend that has hurt America is that the rights of the individual often take precedence over the rights of the many. Majority rule is no longer the accepted norm and individual responsibility no longer exists. Judges overrule juries, the rich walk free, and the loudest get the stage. All the while, the majority is forced to watch this injustice in court-mandated silence. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">Unfortunately, our newly acquired status as a minority does not afford us with the same protections that other minorities enjoy. In fact, we, as Christians, face increased discrimination from all sides. Even in light of the 9/11 attacks and the new fervor of American pride, Christian’s rights are being trampled by the opposition on the liberal left.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">With so many people against us, what are we to do? How are we to become that vocal and proud majority we once were? Is there a chance for American Christians, or are we to be defeated by those who scoff at our God?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">As I see it, we only have three choices. One, of course, is the choice that we have been making for the last forty years, to remain silent and hope that God will deliver us from the evil, or that Jesus will return to take us home. In retrospect, however, this option is not winning the battle. The fact of the matter is that we are losing miserably, and I don’t think it pleases God.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">Our second option is to speak up and let our voice be heard loud and clear. There are several ways for us to accomplish this task, including unifying the churches, boycotting non-Christian businesses and organizations, or coming out in mass on election day and speaking our mind through the ballot box. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">Unless there is a major catastrophe affecting Christians throughout America, the probability of the churches unifying is practically null. It’s hard enough getting a couple of churches in the same town to unite for any cause. Life is just too good to have to impose on others, even if they worship the same God and sing the same hymns. Although I do not agree with this position, it seems to be the norm.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">As for boycotting, the success of this action lies with individuals, not with the church or the Christian population. To tell the truth, it’s almost impossible in this day and age to find any big business that stands for the same things that Christians stand for. So many have bowed at the homosexual and abortion alters just to be seen as politically correct and fair. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">If every Christian did actually boycott all of the businesses that disagree with our beliefs, we could bring them to their knees. But, if we can’t even get a couple of churches in the same town to unite for a simple cause, the chance of us uniting against pro-homosexual or pro-abortion big business is remote.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size:10;">What I’m getting at is this: American Christians used to be the majority. I believe we still are. Unfortunately, we are neither vocal nor united, thus making us the new minority. And history tells us that the silent accomplish nothing. We must unite or fade into oblivion.</span></p>E J Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15871683910246502015noreply@blogger.com1