A Psalm of David

O LORD, who shall sojourn in Your tent? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks the truth in his heart, who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend,

in whose eyes a vile person is despised,

but who honors those who fear the LORD...

He who does these things shall never be moved. 

Psalms 15:1-6, ESV

Yesterday, in the place that used to be the home of capitalism - the city of New York elected a socialist to be its mayor. In addition to his Marxist philosophy, the people's choice for their leader is a Muslim - a religion, by the way, which does not have a record of tolerance to those of the Christian faith. 

Just when you think that New York City could not sink any lower, their people surprise you to the downside.

Now, you may think that New York is not your home, that you live far, far away from there so this vote will not affect you. And perhaps you would be right, at least temporarily, but this is but one symptom of the depravity that has become common place in our nation. Places like Dearborn, Michigan are almost totally under Muslim control. If Dearborn sounds familiar to you, it should, as it was the home of Henry Ford and the first major factory for the automobile industry. Large cities in Texas regularly vote to tax U.S. citizens to pay the bills for citizens of foreign countries who are here illegally.

But why would America do this to ourselves? Why elect leaders who do not believe that Christ is to be honored and served? Why would we elect leaders who would tax their own electorate to pay for people who are often best defined by our judicial system as "criminal"?

I believe that the answer is clear: America is becoming less and less a Christian nation, and more and more a nation that tolerates any type of depravity that you can imagine over righteousness. We have ceased to be a people who despise vile men and have changed into a people who no longer prefer those who fear the Lord! And while some small sectors of the Christian faith appear to be growing (usually those who provide live entertainment, donuts and coffee) the churches in America have been in decline for decades. It seems that America is "slouching towards Gomorrah" as Robert Bork once penned.

I don't know where this slide towards immorality will lead in the end, because I don't know if Americans will repent in time to halt that slide. But one thing is certain: In the absence of repentance, the nation that used to be - the one that most of us still love, will eventually disappear. What, I wonder, will this "One Nation Under God" be replaced with?

I believe it is time for all of us to wake up from our slumber and return to God before it is too late. I want you to know that I do not believe that it is too late, for I have been seeing a return to righteousness by some, including quite a number of our young people. But wake up, we must, and return to God, we must, and it has to begin soon. Otherwise, I believe our children and grandchildren are going to find out what it will be like to live in a country that is no longer one nation under God. We can accomplish this return but only with God's help. I believe that America is worth saving, and I know you feel the same way. The only question is are there enough of us left to make a difference? The answer, of course, is that with a faith in God and Christ nothing will be impossible. We just have to have that faith and then put it to work. So, let's get to that work, and the sooner the better!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with him, Ben Carson was one of America's most skilled neurosurgeons (thank you spellcheck!) for a number of years. I got to talk to him very briefly at a book signing he had in Amarillo back in 2015, and I asked him if he would run for President if enough of us asked. He just laughed, but of course his book tour was largely an exploratory endeavor to help him decide whether or not to do just that. You may remember that he did run but was a distant second in his parties' primary to the guy who did in fact win the Presidency. I believe much good came out of that failed run, as he became our Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and has done a lot to help clean up that organization. He has made strong and effective attempts to help minimize racial tensions, not only in that particular branch of the government, but I believe in the nation as a whole.

He spoke this past week in Canyon, Texas at an event held at West Texas A&M University. His message was one of hope, but also one which emphasized personal responsibility. Dr. Carson has done a lot to try and wake up my generation (the Baby-Boomers) to the need for a political revival in America that can only succeed if it has its roots in the more important area of a spiritual revival. He is now doing his best to bring that same encouragement to the current generation of college-aged students and young adults. It is this message that I want to briefly share with you today, because I believe it is a message that is not only one of a hope for America (and the rest of the world), but which is in fact a message that speaks to the only hope for this confused world. 

That hope, of course, is a revival that can only be accomplished by a return to God and to Christ.

Dr. Carson is a firm believer that America can only remain the land of the free if it is also the home of the brave. Forces have been hard at work even before the era I was born, to place the nation under a socialist and authoritarian rule, rather than a democratic republic. These nefarious people who hate our Constitution had a plan. It was a plan to divide and rule at its essence, and it has been largely accomplished by those who have infiltrated first the colleges, then the media and Hollywood, then the government and even the church. 

Needless to say, they have been largely successful. 

Popular culture teaches that perversion is normal, natural, and healthy. And despite the fact that both God's Word and scientific data have proven this claim to be false, our young people have been pounded with the idea that perversion is normal, and that normalcy is perverse. Further, this effort has included a push to denigrate the unborn to the point that this being with a beating heart is actually not a being at all. This is a vital part of the lie that has allowed abortion to become a new "right" in America. The people who have drunk the Kool-Aid on this false premise have not only become hostile to their unwanted unborn, but they have become hostile to those who would point out the fallacy (and wickedness) of their delusions. 

Which brings us to another point Dr. Carson has so powerfully made for a number of years: The Gospel of Christ has been largely supplanted by a "social gospel" which espouses these twisted false beliefs. He pointed out that many so-called religious leaders have embraced this false doctrine that perverse is normal and that right is wrong. He made a strong call for preachers to stop preaching this demonic social gospel and have the courage to preach the truth again.

Dr. Carson also revealed some extremely positive information about the current administration that I think all righteous people will find to be encouraging. He said that many within the President's Cabinet along with a number of Senators are meeting together on Wednesdays for a mid-week Bible study and prayer session. On a separate note, he related that he once asked our President how he was able to maintain so much energy at an age when most people are retired to their rocking chairs. The President responded that he believed that God would give him the strength he needs.

It is these types of stories that I believe show that there is still hope for America. But I also am convinced of this: That window of hope is rapidly closing. The forces that Cleon Skousen warned about in his 1950's book, "The Naked Communist" occupy most of the seats of influence in our current culture. They are the college professors, the news media personalities, and our favorite movie stars and entertainers. They have saturated most of the high-ranking positions within our government, and especially in the bureaucracy (thanks again, spell-check) that they have put together over the years.

Dr. Carson emphasized duty in his talk, and it is that sense of duty that we are going to have to follow if we are able to accomplish what this nation, the world, and especially the church, are in such desperate need of in our times. And what we need more than anything is revival! Such a revival can only begin with the individual, and that's where you and I come in. If we will do our God-given duty, I believe that revival can spread to our churches, to our communities, and even to the nation and the rest of the world. Failing that - failing to do our duty - can only result in one thing: An America that is doomed to failure. We cannot let that happen, at least not without a fight. 

Once again, I think it is useful to recall Ben Carson's warning: America cannot remain the land of the free unless we are first the home of the brave. Such courage can only be instilled by God, and you and I need to seek His divine help and then begin to take the righteous and courageous stands that will be required to save this nation. One final thought: If love for country does not motivate you to action, perhaps a more vital love is needed: A love for God and a love for our children and grandchildren!  

I heard this lesson almost 30 years ago and it has always stayed with me.

It involves three events during Jesus' ministry which are recorded in the 5th chapter of Mark's Gospel. The first involves a man who had been overcome by evil spirits. We are not told why God permitted these evil spirits to have a season here on earth, tormenting and inhabiting both the innocent and the guilty. Perhaps it was just one more way in which Jesus was allowed to show His Divine power, even over the most evil of beings. Whatever the reason, the man we read of in Mark 5 was clearly tormented by a group of demons so numerous that he was called by the name "Legion". Men had tried to help, finally resorting to trying to subdue him with chains, but to no avail. When Jesus found him, he was running through a cemetery, naked and broken free from his chains. 

When he saw Jesus, he ran to Him for help. And, when no one else could help, Jesus did! He freed this tormented man from his demons and set him free from his life of bondage!

Next, we find Jesus being sought out by one of the synagogue rulers. His daughter lay at the point of death but no one could do anything about it. So, he came to Jesus and urged Him to come to his house to heal his daughter. While on the way, Jesus was pressed by crowds of people seeking His healing.

Who knows how many thousands of people came to Jesus during His ministry to be healed, but we do know that Jesus did in fact heal them. Whether blind or lame or deaf or diseased, Jesus healed them all, even when no one else could.

It was just such an occasion when Jesus was being mobbed by the masses as He made his way to the house of the synagogue ruler. A woman who we are told had an issue of blood for twelve years came to Jesus. She was at her wits end, having suffered at the hands of many physicians for many years. All had tried, and all had failed. But when she finally came in contact with the Great Physician, Jesus healed her! And, like the man called Legion, she fell at His feet in thanksgiving and worship. For, when no one else could help, Jesus did!

About this time, a message came from the house of the synagogue ruler, "Your daughter has died..." Only those who have experienced such an event can fully understand, I certainly cannot. This precious little girl, very likely the light of this man and his wife's lives, was suddenly gone! But Jesus quickly said to the man, "Be not afraid, only believe". And when He came to the man's home, which by that time was surrounded by the grief-stricken and comforters alike, Jesus went inside and raised this precious child from the dead!

When no one else could help, Jesus could!

Would this help you in your life? I realize that we do not have Jesus in bodily form walking this earth healing people instantaneously anymore, but we are not without help. It is true that God can accomplish many great things through prayer, but I'm not necessarily referring to that. I'm talking about the fact that we have been given a hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This offer of eternal life has been accomplished through God's grace and the resurrection of our slain Savior, and it can be received by anyone who is willing to do their small part.

That small part does involve a lifetime of service, to be sure, but it begins with the same message that Jesus gave to the grieving synagogue ruler: "Be not afraid, only believe".

My wife and I have lost all four of our parents in recent years. They had led good, long lives and though we were prepared for the inevitable, it still was difficult. I would never compare that to the loss of a child, but this eternal truth is what I wanted to call to your attention. If they were as faithful as they appeared to be, and if Carolyn and I will be faithful to God and Christ, though we have failed Them so many times, we will by God's grace be reunited with our loved ones someday. And that reunion will come with the promise of never having to separated again. 

We have had other difficult experiences, as I know you have as well. Carolyn experienced at least three miscarriages in our early marriage, one of which caused her to hemorrhage and be rushed into to surgery to save her life. I don't pretend to know what God does with the souls of these precious, unborn children but I am confident that it will be the very best thing. I have often wondered if we do not have at least three children we have yet to meet already awaiting our arrival in Heaven someday. Just the thought of this, combined with the thought of being with all of my loved ones someday, is a very powerful motivator. I long for the day that we shall be together again, with old familiar loved ones, and with those whom we have yet to meet. I don't deserve such a reunion, but Jesus has promised it every one of us just the same. We just have to do our part!

There are bitter times of suffering in this life, no one who has lived very long can deny that. And while there are many who get angry at such times and blame God and will even wonder what good faith in Christ has been, let me encourage you not to fall into that dangerous trap. God loves you! And the truth that we read of in Mark is just as true for us today as it was some 2,000 years ago: When no one else can help, Jesus can. We just have to let Him! We just have to be not afraid and believe!

Who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, "Thus far you shall come and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed? 

Have you commanded the morning since you days began, and caused the dawn to know its place...?

Job 38:8-12, ESV

We just got back from a trip to Ocean Shores in Washington State. While I was there, I went down to the ocean just about every day around dawn and marveled at the power and beauty of the ocean. I lived close to the Pacific Ocean when I was a little boy, and I am still amazed at its power and beauty. Being able to observe God's nature up close, I am always surprised at people who fail to acknowledge God as the Creator, or who just deny His existence outright. It's like sticking your hand on a hot stove and denying its heat - you really do have to be thick-headed and stubborn to deny such realities. Maybe that's why God inspired the Apostle Paul to pen these words:

"For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse"

The reason I bring this up, is that despite all of the marvelous displays of God's power that are so clearly evident, the Pacific Northwest is an area that is largely composed of people who are skeptical (to say the least) of God's existence. Now, I do want to say that there are still many fine Christians in this area of the world, but they seem to be vastly outnumbered. I had a good friend who lived in this area for a number of years who described this region as "pagan". The irony of my friend's observation is that he was born and raised in Africa. He had seen, firsthand, the pagan culture, yet it was this area that struck him as being largely without God.

But I don't want to focus so much on that particular problem in this article. What I would like to focus on is the awesome power of God's creation that I was so blessed to be able to see over the course of this last week.

It all started with my wife Carolyn and I going to visit our son and his family at a house they had rented not too far from the ocean near Seattle. The first day was spent "hopping" from beach to beach. The grandkids and I spent most of our time hunting for shells and throwing rocks into the ocean. It was the first time I had been around it for a number of years, so I was, to say the least, completely enthralled by the waves crashing into the shore and then heading back out to sea. The second day we found another beach and combed it for sand dollars! I'm not sure who was more excited, me or the grandkids, but it was a wonderful experience.

On the third day, we headed to a rainforest and got the full treatment, for it did indeed rain on us that day. Afterwards we went to Ruby Beach, one of the most famous of the beaches in all of Washington. There are huge rocks offshore, and to watch the waves pound into these rocks with such force as they do was an incredible experience. I'm not sure which was more impressive between the sights and the sounds, but it was quite an experience.

The fourth day was much quieter, as we spent a good part of the day driving to and from a place to worship with the church, but we had a nice day of rest to help prepare us for the next few days that we had remaining. On Monday, our kids headed to the Cascade Mountains, while Carolyn and I went to a place called Cape Disappointment. We found a place there called North Point and spent quite a bit of time sitting on the shore watching the waves strike the land with such force that they often would reach nearly a third of the way up a set of cliffs that must have been a hundred feet high. 

The last two days, we headed into Kirkland where I lived as a small boy, and I got to see the old neighborhood. We had lived on the edge of a large forest which had been mostly cut down to allow for new development, but it was still wonderful to see the place that I have such fond memories of. We even cut through a small part of the old forest on a walk to my old grade school which is situated across the street from the Bridle Trails State Park. The next day we caught back up with the kids and rode the ferry to Bainbridge Island, where we ate at a restaurant by the Peugeot Sound and discovered that my oldest grandson did not like fried oysters nearly as much as he thought he might. Afterwards, we took the ferry back to Seattle, worshipped with the church in Kirkland at their midweek service, and then headed to a hotel near the airport so we could fly back the next day.

Now, I'm sure that it's easy to tell that this was a special trip for Carolyn and I, but what's the point about boring you with all of the details? Just this: The place where we stayed and enjoyed such beauty is only a small fraction of the earth that God created for His beloved people. But it was in this tiny part of this small planet in God's vast universe that we were able to witness a portion of the might and glory of God that will leave an indelible impression in our minds for as long as we live. Who else but God could think of such things as we have seen this past week? Who else but God has the power to speak such places into being? Who else but God would love a people so much that He would create them in the first place, and then allow them to live in a place that He Himself had so carefully planned, and then placed into existence?

And who else but God could have something even better planned for His children than the beauty that we can all see in this world if we will just open our eyes long enough to see it? Having said that, who could possibly even think about missing out on the Heaven that He has planned for the faithful? Who would dare to not read His Word in order to find out everything they could about what God expects of us? Who would dream of not doing these things, once they had read from Hid Word what they were?

We are indeed a blessed people! I know that there are hard times that many go through, but there are a lot of good times as well. And the God who created such beauty for us to enjoy now, will surely not let us down with the eternal beauty that Christ has gone to prepare for those who will be faithful in their short time on this earth. One final thing: After witnessing the awesome power of this little sliver of God's creation that we have been so blessed to take part in, why would we want to do anything but our very best to partake in this marvelous eternity He has waiting for us?