Why do I journal? - Journaling part 2

You may be thinking "I was nervous enough about the ONE 'talk' I needed to have.  Now you tell me there are THREE!!"

Yes, three talks but here is something really important to remember about these talks.
They are not "one and done" types of talks.   They are ongoing talks and we want to provide resources for you to have each of these conversations with your children.  

We are going to take part of our next three parenting classes to go through each of these topics.  We will provide you with some great resources and talking points each week.

These topics are for any one who wants to help their child or children grow in their relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

• Talk about Salvation, which we will be talking about on January 8th in our parenting class.

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Grearr
How to Lead Your Child to Christ by Nancy Machowski

• Talk about Worship, which we will be talking about January 15th in our parenting class.

Ten Unexpected Man-Centered Causes of Family Tension by Sam Crabtree
Family Worship by Donald S. Whitney

• Talk about Relationships and Sexuality, which we will be talking about on January 22nd in our parenting class.

Time for the Talk by Zollos

Hope in 2016, 2017 and beyond

Originally posted at emmanuelbaptist.com/blog

Actually the title of this post should be "Hope in Jesus Christ while living in 2016, 2017 and Beyond." Emmanuel Baptist Church's theme for 2017 is Transformation.  

We know that true, life-long transformation comes only through Jesus Christ.
As we come to the end of 2016 and get ready for 2017, we need to focus on Jesus Christ. 
Not the recent election. 
Not the upcoming presidential term. 
Not Hollywood and the deaths of celebrities in 2016. 
Not new cutting edge technology. 
Not our circumstances. 

We need to focus on the only one who saves us from sin and gives us new life. JESUS CHRIST! Here is the Hope-filled, December 30 devotional from New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.

Corporate worship is designed to instill vertical hope where horizontal hope has been dashed.

One of the themes of this devotional is hope. Every human being is hardwired for and concerned about hope. We’re all in a constant search for hope that delivers and lasts. We’re all a bit discouraged and paralyzed when our hopes are dashed. When one hope dies, we grab hold of another hope as fast as we can.

The Bible is a hope story. It is about hope misplaced and hope found. It’s about hope that cannot deliver and hope that gives you everything that you need. It’s about where not to look for hope and the only place where true hope can be found. The great hope drama of the Bible is summarized by a few very important words that are buried in the middle of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans:

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Rom. 5: 1– 5)

Notice what Paul does here:

• He connects our hope to our justification. We have hope because, by grace, we have been forgiven and accepted by the One who holds everything we need.
• He connects our hope to the glory of God. Our hope is that God will complete his work, getting the glory that is his due. His glory is our good.
• He connects our hope to our sufferings. There is even hope in suffering because in that suffering the God who is our hope is doing good things in us and for us.
• He says that our vertical hope (hope in God) will never put us to shame. This means that all other forms of hope fail us in some way. Hope in created things never delivers what hope in the Creator can.
• He connects our hope to the Holy Spirit who lives inside us. Here is the ultimate reason that you and I have hope— God has made us the address where he lives. This means that the One who can do more than we are able to conceive of is constantly with us and constantly working on our behalf.

Now, that’s hope! As you worship God with other believers and hear the truths of his Word proclaimed, your hope will be rekindled.

For further study and encouragement: Hebrews 6: 9– 20

Why do I journal? - Journaling pt. 1

In challenging times, journalling 

Mouths & Fingers of Mission, Not Destruction - Fighter Verses

Today's Fighter Verses are Psalm 141:3-4.

The link to the devotional is below.
But I wanted to add two thoughts before you read it.  

First, from this past Sunday's message:  Pastor Duke said "If your obedience is lacking, look at your worship."  There is a connection between this quote and this week's Fighter verses.  

If you are having trouble controlling your words, it is not only a tongue problem.  It is a worship problem. If you are argumentative and defensive all the time, you have a worship problem.
If you use words that are not wholesome and encouraging, you have a worship problem.
If you put others down to make yourself look good, you have a worship problem. 

Second, "words" come not only from the mouth but also from the fingers. 
All of these thoughts need to used to evaluate the words we speak and the words we post. Here is the devotional.

Check out the devotional -  http://fighterverses.com/blog-post/mouths-of-mission-not-destruction-ps-1413-4/ 

Choosing Books Wisely! (Glorifying God in our reading choices)

Why write this blog?

I love my church and I don’t mean the building.  I mean the people!
I want them to grow in the truth of God’s word.
In our media saturated culture we are being bombarded with so many ideas.The blatantly anti-Christian ones are easy to avoid.
But the subtle, almost Biblical ones slowly change one’s thinking.
I don’t want any of us to be deceived by the philosophies of this age.
As one of your pastors I also have the God-given responsibility to help you grow in godliness.

INTRODUCTION:When you are looking for a book to read do you choose books that twist Scriptures to fit your political agenda or ones that show God’s sovereignty?
Do you choose books that pull at your heart strings and make you feel good about yourself or heaven?
Or do you read books that cut to your heart and convict and challenge?

How do you pick the books you read?  And it is my prayer that you read.

To begin this blog about books I want to recommend a book.  Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES:

Lit! is a great resource book with chapters on tips for reading, Christian imagination, raising readers, marking up your books.

In the chapter Read With Resolve, Reinke gives six priorities for his reading:

1. Read Scripture
2. Read to know and delight in Christ
3. Read to kindle spiritual reflection
4. Read to initiate personal change
5. Read to pursue vocational excellence
6. Read to enjoy a good story

After reading the Scripture every other type of reading should be done in light of Scripture.
This doesn’t mean only read Christian books he goes on to explain some of the benefits of reading non-Christian books.
A couple of these are:  highlighting common life experiences; exposing the human heart; capturing beauty; begging questions that can only be resolved in Christ.

With these principles in mind, I want to address some of my concerns in contemporary Christian literature.

THE FUTURE AND HEAVEN ARE REALLY POPULAR:

The future and heaven are always very hot topics.
Books using one Old Testament verse or story from Scripture to explain what is wrong with America and what is going to happen here is NOT what scripture is for.
Old Testament prophecies were given to bring God the glory that He so rightfully deserves.  In our day, we use these same prophecies to fit the United States into scripture or to discover some kind of hidden secret knowledge.
If someone writes a book and has to explain why he is the first person to see this in the Bible, it is not a book worth reading.

Books about individuals near death or death experiences in heaven or hell put peoples experience at or near the authority of scripture.  These books usually present extra-biblical details about heaven.  Bottomline:  Heaven is about God and Jesus.
I smile when people say “I cannot wait to get to heaven because I will see so and so” or “I cannot wait to get to heaven because I have some questions for him.”

THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE IS QUESTIONED:

Books that seem to place the writer’s word at an authoritative level need to be carefully examined.  Scripture is God’s word and our authority.  Anything that tries to add to God’s word, whether written as journal, poem, song or fictional story needs to be avoided.

SOME ONLINE RESOURCES RELATED TO DISCERNMENT:

By Gary Gilley
www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews

Tim Challies
www.discerningreader.com
www.challies.com
I have included three specific Tim Challies reviews.
I choose these three books because they have been best sellers for an extended period of time.
Review of Heaven is for Real:  www.challies.com/book-reviews/heaven-is-for-real
Review of Harbinger: www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-ancient-mystery-that-holds-the-secret-of-americas-futureReview of Jesus Calling: www.challies.com/book-reviews/jesus-calling

Josh Harris (a message on discernment)
http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/Product/A2270-01-51/Discernment_MP3_DOWNLOAD.aspx

While I (Pastor Dave) have written this specific blog, I know it is the prayer of each pastor to see members of Emmanuel Baptist Church grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.  Reading good books help in this process.

I love it when the unplanned comes together!!

I love the 1980's.  The mullet, poor computer game graphics, parachute pants and cheesy TV shows.
There was one show that almost always ended with the phrase "I love it when a plan comes together."  

Well, this morning (11.22) I changed that phrase to...
"I love it when the unplanned comes together!!"  

Let me explain why..

•  Today,November 22’s New Morning Mercies was a great reminder.  Here is part of the devotional.  “How could you not have all that you need when your Savior has promised not to withhold any good thing from you?”  The verses included are Psalm 84:11 and Matthew 6:25-32.
• This past Sunday’s sermon reminded us to live a life of praising God not pride in yourself.  With the 1^st through 3^rd grade kids we talked about not living a paradox. Click HERE for some family devotional helps!  We did a thankful activity with the kids.
•  This week’s Fighter Verse devotional “When we trust in [God], our verses, Psalm 125:1-2, tell us that we become strong and steady and faithful too – and can be compared, like our Lord, to a strong mountain which cannot be moved!  We are no longer moved because we trust in the only God who cannot be moved.  And His Spirit in us gives us the strength and steadiness required of us in any circumstances!  What a marvelous promise and provision!!  Such a promise affects every single day of our lives – every difficult situation in which we find ourselves.”   Click HERE for the full devotional!
• Even a mistake, reading the wrong week's Fighter Verse, Proverbs 3:5 -7 from the week of October 23, was a blessing.  "If you’re convinced something is a need and God does not deliver it, you begin to question his goodness. What is deadly about questioning God’s goodness is that you tend not to run for help to someone you doubt. Misnamed “needs” can be devastating to your communion with God."  Click HERE for the full devotional.

God has used these four things to remind me that at Thanksgiving time we need to thankful first and foremost for GOD!  

God, himself and then the things he has provided.

When we are more thankful for what is provided than the ONE WHO PROVIDES, 

we are idolaters

we become more and more unsatisfied. 

Ordination Service

Here is the video from the ordination service.




I have posted and will be posting more about ordination.  To read these post, click HERE.
I am very thankful for the opportunity to plan my November 13th ordination service.
Each part of the service is very special to me.  Even the songs had a special purpose.

Here is the outline of the service with certain parts explained.  

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)



I love this song because of its great truth.  It reminds me over and over again of the great gift I have been given in Christ (Romans 5:8).
I love this specific version of the this song because it reminds me of the story of William Wilbeforce and the ministry of the Daughter Project

What is ordination?  Pastor Duke Crawford

You Have Been Raised


The first time I heard this song was at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence, Kentucky.
I attended their Counseling/Discipleship Training - Track 1 a couple of years ago.
The church's passion for teaching and training with God's Word is contagious from the pastor Brad Bigney to those serving snacks and lunches at the conference.
I am especially thankful for my friendship with Ken Long.  We don't see each other very much but when we do, my heart is encouraged.

Why I am thankful?  Pastor David Rodgers

I am so thankful for godly friends who have helped me grow.

Friends in college who challenged me to go on a short term mission trip to the Dominican Republic

Friends in the Dominican Republic who challenged me to repel down water falls, ride motorcycles on crazy roads and helped me see the importance of community and hospitality

Friends at ECS who helped me grow as a teacher and helped confirm my call to ministry.

Friends at seminary who helped me in SOOO many diferent ways.

Friends here in the auditorium

I am thankful for my family which includes

Krista’s family who prays for and helps us in so many ways.

My family.  My mom, my dad, my sister, my aunt who is like a second mom, my cousins who are like brothers and my uncle from California who surprised me tonight by showing up.

My immediate family.  My wife, Krista and children Joel, Josiah and Jadyn.

I am especially thankful for God’s grace in my life

Romans 5:8 says “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I am thankful that when I was twelve years old he showed me that I was a sinner in desperate need of Jesus.

I am also thankful for God’s grace in that he has brought Godly pastors into my life.

Growing Pastor Bob Singleton was such a big influence on me and my family.

While at seminary, Pastor David Culver was an amazing help and resource.

Now, I thankful to be part of the pastoral team of Emmanuel Baptist Church
Pastors Duke, Kerry, Dan, Andy, Paul, Pastor Snyder and Casey thank you.
And Pastor Shane, who has been a friend and an encouragement for so many years.

I am also thankful for Dr. Austin, who will be sharing later in the service.

Finally I am thankful for Pastor Philip DeCourcy, who during lunch at Shorty's told me "Either go to seminary or quit talking about it and continue ministering here."

All I Have Is Christ



The truth of this song is so overwhelming.
One of my favorite videos of this song is an animated story.
Click HERE for that video.

What is the role of a pastor?  Dr. Dann Austin

Church is Better!! Part 2

This summer I wrote about Camp is Great!  Church is Better!!

With my ordination council this past Friday and ordination service this Sunday night, I wanted to return to this theme with a part 2 post.

CAMP IS GREAT!

In sharing my testimony at Friday's council I said that the age of twelve, I was saved at a junior high camp.  "It was there that God grabbed a hold of my heart.  I do not remember the speaker or the sermon.  I do remember being overwhelmed by the fact that I could not live the life God wanted me to live in my own strength.  I repented of my sin and called out to Jesus to save me. 

I am very thankful for Christian camps.  I had many great experiences at camp as a child, which is why I send my children to camp, which is why I served as a counselor at camp in college, which is why I love speaking at camp, which is why I serve on the board at Camp Patmos.   

BUT Church is Better!!

I am very thankful to serve with Camp Patmos, that understands it "exists to assist the church by impacting lives for Christ through a serving staff and relevant programs grounded in the Word of God." 

Camp provides an intense focused time outside the everyday routines of life.  This intense focus in chapels, devotionals and so many other things provide great opportunities for growth but living from camp to camp is not how God designed us to live.    While time a short time at camp is refreshing, the church provides ongoing encouragement (Hebrews 10:24, 25) and edification (Ephesians 4:11-15).

 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS GREAT!

I understand there are different choices when it comes to education - Christian school, public school and home school.  I am very thankful for my time as a student at Monaca High School, a public school.  I have a lot of good memories and good friends.  I am also grateful for the two years of college education at Penn State.  

I am especially thankful for how God used Christian education.  Roberts Wesleyan College provided great friends, awesome preparation for teaching, an amazing, life changing mission trip.  Santiago Christian School helped me grow so much as a teacher, missionary and especially as a Christian.  Through SCS, God provided life-long, mission focused friends who still keep in touch and awesome experiences like scuba diving, repelling down waterfalls and meeting my wife.  Module at SCS through Azusa Pacific University allowed me to learn many leadership principles and connect even deeper with my co-workers at SCS.  My four years at Emmanuel Christian School solidified my love for the local church, allowed me to connect with the great church & school my wife attended and helped me learn how to deal with a mercury fire.  

BUT Church is Better!!

I am so very thankful for the training I received at Baptist Bible Seminary.  When I say training I mean so much more than the classroom teaching.  I am thankful that one of my theology professors was also an AWANA teaching at my church.  I am so thankful that the seminary not only taught us about the church.  It encouraged involvement in local churches.

Here is a 9 minute video from David Platt about Local Church Membership

Church Membership from Radical on Vimeo.

Thus sayeth the Lord about this year's election

You may have clicked on this blog thinking you were going to get a definitive, Biblical answer to the question "How should I vote?"  I am sorry to disappoint you but the intent of this post is to help you think Biblically about this election and every election.

This article contains three links to articles/videos I have found helpful not necessarily clarifying.|I have also included a couple of ideas/principles I heard or developed in thinking about this election.

Here is the first principle.  Your vote in this election does not mark you a Christian.  Let me clarify.  One is a Christian because he is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Belonging to a certain party or voting a certain way does not make you a Christian. 

A Christians's Hope is found in God who is sovereign, Jesus Christ who saves and the Holy Spirit who empowers believers.

This article My Prediction for November 9 by Max Lucado (maxlucado.com/prediction-november-9) shows this idea of Real, Eternal Hope.

"I have a prediction. I know exactly what November 9 will bring. Another day of God’s perfect sovereignty. He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never before has His providence depended on a king, president, or ruler. And it won’t on November 9, 2016. “The LORD can control a king’s mind as he controls a river; he can direct it as he pleases” (Proverbs 21:1 NCV)."

"Circle November 9 on your calendar and write upon it the words:  Our good God rules the world."

There are two school's of thought I have heard regarding casting your vote.

Look Beyond the Candidates to the Platforms
"We have a command, choice and a contrast to consider this and every election."
From Know the Truth's Shall I vote video by Philip Decourcy - www.facebook.com/kttradio/videos/1667947446828516/

The Character of every candidate must be considered
"[Many Christians] are being awakened to the idea of what it means to be resident aliens, of what is means to be strangers and exiles who are concerned about neighbors and concerned about justice in the public arena but don't derive our identity from that."www.russellmoore.com/2016/09/28/thoughts-election-2016/

There are good reasons why many godly men and women have fallen into one of these two school's of thought.  As I mentioned earlier I don't think one of these options is less Christian.  My challenge to each of us this election is to be responsibly trusting God.   

In reading and listening to many different pastors and writers about this year's election, there is at least one thing that is very clear.  This year's presidential race and election is very unique.  This is one of the reasons I planned for EBC's Soul Care groups to do the ONWARD study - to help people and our small groups think about contemporary issues Biblically. 

As November 8th keeps getting closer, 

personally, I am still thinking through the candidates and the issues.

Pastorally, I want to help those I pastor consider what their action steps are going to be.

Here are two things I am thinking through this election.

First, PRAY for wisdom and direction.  VOTE responsibly.  PRAY for our elected officials.

Second, LOVE GOD - everything is an act of worship.  Vote in such a way that God is first.  You are worshiping and trusting in God.  LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS - I need to consider how my vote is going to impact others. 

Remember, 

your vote is more important than you think
AND 

your vote, our votes, can never thwart or slow down God's plan.

Here are a couple of quotes that have recently challenged my thinking.

Testimony of Conversion and Calling

A week from today is my ordination council.  I am very excited and a little nervous.
One part of this council is sharing my testimony.  One page of my doctrinal paper is about my testimony and calling.

You can read it in the paper HERE or read it below. 

In preparing for this day, I have been really thinking about the fact that I want this time to be more than just an examination of my knowledge.
I want it to be a time to glorify God for what He has done for me and through me.

TESTIMONY OF CONVERSION AND CALLING

I did not grow up in a Christian home.  My parents would go to church occasionally but one of the biggest memories I have growing up was getting picked up in a van and taken to Vacation Bible School.  I began attending this area church more and more.  After some time my parents began attending also.  God used a couple with passion about sharing Jesus with children to connect my family and me with a local church.   

Over time we began attending another church.  At the age of twelve, I was invited to camp.  It was there that God grabbed a hold of my heart.  I do not remember the speaker or the sermon.  I do remember being overwhelmed by the fact that I could not live the life God wanted me to live in my own strength.  I repented of my sin and called out to Jesus to save me.  God provided me with Godly pastors, Sunday school teachers, other mentors and friends to help me grow in my relationship with God.  While I wish my testimony in middle school and high school to my classmates was stronger, I can see how God had been working throughout my life.  Throughout college (Penn State and Roberts Wesleyan College), God provided me with various leadership and ministry opportunities that helped me grow.  One of those opportunities was a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

Krista grew up in a Christian home attending Emmanuel Baptist Church and Emmanuel Christian School.  When she was ten years old, Jesus saved her from her sin.  After talking with her mom, she prayed, asking God for forgiveness and trusting in Jesus for her salvation.  Growing up at Emmanuel Baptist Church, serving in Sonshine and other ministries and seeing the godly examples of her parents and others helped prepare her for ministry opportunities here, in South Africa and the Dominican Republic. 

Krista and I met while teaching at Santiago Christian School in the Dominican Republic.  I tell people God used my time in the Dominican Republic to grow in me a love for Krista, teaching the Bible and the local church.  My first year in the Dominican Republic, I was excited to teach several mathematics classes and a little frustrated that I had to teach one Bible class.  Over the eight years at Santiago Christian School my responsibilities completely flipped.  During my last year in the Dominican Republic, I taught one math class and all of my other responsibilities were Bible related.  I had many different opportunities to teach and preach the Bible.  For a couple of years I was involved in the leadership of an English Christian fellowship.  Several different individuals shared with me that they could see a passion for and ability to teach the Bible. 

After eight years serving at Santiago Christian School, we returned to the states.  I taught at Emmanuel Christian School for four years.  During this time I served as an Adult Bible Fellowship teacher, middle school youth sponsor and deacon at Emmanuel Baptist Church.  This time in Toledo proved very helpful and encouraging.  People in our local church affirmed my passion and ability to teach the Bible and lead.  We decided to go to Baptist Bible Seminary for more training.

Our time at Baptist Bible College and Seminary proved to be another challenging and affirming time.  While serving as dorm parents, a rescue mission chaplain and in other areas, God continued to provide opportunities for me to grow as a teacher and leader. 

Over the last six years, we have been blessed to serve at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Religious Liberty - from Onward Study

Emmanuel has been doing a 6 part small group study called ONWARD.  The six parts of the study (Kingdom, Culture, Mission, Human Dignity, Family Stability, Convictional Kindness) are based on Russell Moore's book by the same name.  One of the chapters in the book and not in the study is Religious Liberty.  This chapter is filled with a lot of challenging truths and clarifications.  Here are some quotes and additional thoughts about Religious Liberty.

In clarifying the concept of “separation of church and state,” Moore writes “Church/state separation means that the church does not bear Caesar’s sword in enforcing the gospel, and that Caesar’s sword is not to be wielded against the free consciences of persons made in the image of God.”  We need to understand that it is the Gospel, not Congress, that changes the heart.

Another quote that was very challenging is “Christians should fight for the liberty of Muslims to be Muslims, to worship in mosques and to freely seek to persuade others that the Koran is a true revelation of God.  This isn’t because we believe Islamic claims, but precisely because we don’t.  If we really believe the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, we don’t need bureaucrats to herd people into cowering before it.”

As I was reading through this specific chapter, my hope in God and the Gospel in the midst of our culture was stirred.
Do you really believe Jesus changes lives?
If your answer is YES!!, how is that reflected in your thoughts and actions.
“The Gospel is big enough to fight for itself.”  HERE is a link to a very short blog post entitled “Its Own Evangelist.”

How should Religious Liberty impact our prayer times?
“When we pray for those in prison for their faith, we remember that the Gospel came to use in letters written from jail.”
“When we weep for those who are (sometimes literally) crucified in the Middle East, we are reminded that our Lord isn’t a life coach or a guru but a crucified Messiah.”

We pray for those who are suffering for their faith.  We remember those who suffered for their faith and glorified God through the suffering.  We ask God to help us suffer well for His glory.
When we hear about those who are beaten for their faith, we weep for them and we run to the One who suffered for our sin.

How should Religious Liberty impact the way we live as a church?
“Religious Liberty is a much about children’s Sunday school as it is about the Supreme Court – indeed more so.  If we’re going to claim a future for liberty, we must remember why we have it:  for the gospel and the advance of the mission.  If our descendants love this gospel, and see themselves first as citizens of the kingdom, they won’t flinch when a terrorist group threatens to cut off their heads, since they know Christ.”  

I wrestled with this Sunday school/Supreme Court connection for quite some time.
Bottom line is this Sunday school gives the church the opportunity and responsibility of teaching children and adults that their hope needs to be first and foremost in Christ, in heaven and not in the courts of this land.  Now don’t get me wrong.  We do need to pray about elections and leaders.  We do need to responsibly vote.  We do need to pray for our elected official.  AND we need to Hope in God.
This voting is not done as our desperate attempt to save mankind.
This voting is done as a spiritual act of worship.  Responsibly trusting in God to work out all things for His glory.

Onward Session #7: Religious Liberty

There is not a 7th video for our Soul Care groups to do.  However, there is a great chapter in the book that is not covered in the study.  Religious Liberty.  

This chapter is filled with a lot of challenging truths and clarifications.  Here are some quotes and additional thoughts about Religious Liberty.

In clarifying the concept of “separation of church and state,” Moore writes “Church/state separation means that the church does not bear Caesar’s sword in enforcing the gospel, and that Caesar’s sword is not to be wielded against the free consciences of persons made in the image of God.”  We need to understand that it is the Gospel, not Congress, that changes the heart.

Another quote that was very challenging is “Christians should fight for the liberty of Muslims to be Muslims, to worship in mosques and to freely seek to persuade others that the Koran is a true revelation of God.  This isn’t because we believe Islamic claims, but precisely because we don’t.  If we really believe the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, we don’t need bureaucrats to herd people into cowering before it.”

As I was reading through this specific chapter, my hope in God and the Gospel in the midst of our culture was stirred.
Do you really believe Jesus changes lives?
If your answer is YES!!, how is that reflected in your thoughts and actions.
“The Gospel is big enough to fight for itself.”  HERE is a link to a very short blog post entitled “Its Own Evangelist.”

How should Religious Liberty impact our prayer times?
“When we pray for those in prison for their faith, we remember that the Gospel came to use in letters written from jail.”
“When we weep for those who are (sometimes literally) crucified in the Middle East, we are reminded that our Lord isn’t a life coach or a guru but a crucified Messiah.”

We pray for those who are suffering for their faith.  We remember those who suffered for their faith and glorified God through the suffering.  We ask God to help us suffer well for His glory.
When we hear about those who are beaten for their faith, we weep for them and we run to the One who suffered for our sin.

How should Religious Liberty impact the way we live as a church?
“Religious Liberty is a much about children’s Sunday school as it is about the Supreme Court – indeed more so.  If we’re going to claim a future for liberty, we must remember why we have it:  for the gospel and the advance of the mission.  If our descendants love this gospel, and see themselves first as citizens of the kingdom, they won’t flinch when a terrorist group threatens to cut off their heads, since they know Christ.”  

I wrestled with this Sunday school/Supreme Court connection for quite some time.
Bottom line is this Sunday school gives the church the opportunity and responsibility of teaching children and adults that their hope needs to be first and foremost in Christ, in heaven and not in the courts of this land.  Now don’t get me wrong.  We do need to pray about elections and leaders.  We do need to responsibly vote.  We do need to pray for our elected official.  AND we need to Hope in God.
This voting is not done as our desperate attempt to save mankind.
This voting is done as a spiritual act of worship.  Responsibly trusting in God to work out all things for His glory.