Civics 101a

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"A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well." - Proverbs 25:26

In this case, "faltering before the wicked" is pretty simple: just choose to do absolutely nothing

So of what use is a "murky spring and a polluted well?" Actually, Jesus Christ answered that question for us all in Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty again. It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

We have a responsibility to be involved in the process of our governance. We have a responsibility to impact the world around us (that's called "being salt"). When we choose to be uninvolved, we are "no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

In many of our churches today, the chosen position regarding political involvement is "cloister" or "have Bible studies until Jesus comes." Meanwhile, our culture continues to decline and slides faster and faster toward abject outright depravity.

As I read in 1 John 2:28: "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." I for one have every intention of "abiding in Him" because I live for the hearing of these 7 words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." And John is so right, if I choose not to abide in Him, I would be ashamed at His return, so will we all.

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)

We have a responsibility and a privilege to impact our world for the cause of Christ. We are all called to do our part, to vote intelligently (read Prov 2 for the only answer to where to find wisdom for who and what to vote for), to act diligently and to pray.

Holy Huddles

I emailed this out today as an encouragement for people to get involved in the SB2 and HB2007 petition processes. I decided to post it here as well.

Holy Huddles

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Dr. Stratos had a great message this morning. One comment he made that stuck with me throughout the entire day was the concept of "Holy Huddles." When was the last time you went to a football game? Consider the following:

It's McNary vs. Sprague (or fill in the name of your favorite teams). You've got great seats. You show up before the game and get all your "gear" set up on the 50-yd line ready for the game to begin. The National Anthem is sung, the teams take the field, the coin is tossed, and your favorite team wins the toss! Your team goes over to huddle, to prepare for the first play. The team captain yells "BREAK!" and as the team breaks from the huddle, everyone in the stands gets up to go get a drink refill, or to get a hot-dog, or get some peanuts. You look around, stunned. What kind of twilight zone world is this? Where people come to a game to watch the "huddle" and leave during the "play?"

The reality is, people don't go to a football game to watch the huddles; they go to watch what takes place between the huddles. Our church services, our small groups, our Bible studies; those are the "huddles" in our game. "But what about prayer? That takes place during our huddles." you might say. I understand, and much can be accomplished through the power of prayer. But if Jesus Christ could have "prayed" His way out of dying on the cross, He would have done so (in fact, in some ways, He tried), but He couldn't. Even He had to leave His huddle, go to the cross, crawl up on it, and die; for me and for you. Please do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with huddles, but there is something very wrong with a game full of only huddles.

Even worse, the world is not impressed with our "huddles." The world is not impacted by our "huddles." The world is impacted by what takes place between our huddles.

The petition process soon to begin is not a "huddle;" it is the "play." Just as Christ had to leave His huddle for you, I am asking you to leave your huddle for Him. Is it more comfortable to stay in the "huddle?" Yes, it is, we would all like to stay in the huddle and let someone else "work the play." I think that is why Paul wrote in Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrificy, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." But he did not stop there, he continues: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." "Conforming to the world" is doing what the world wants: The world would like nothing more than for you to stay in your "huddle" while it runs "plays" around you out on the field.

The question for you is a simple one: will you leave your huddle???

Further on in Romans 13, Paul provides some inspired and heartfelt advice to assist in answering that question (all emphasis mine):

"(11) And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. (12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (13) Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. (14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."

Leave your huddle and get involved!

The Crossroads

I sent this out to 300+ people and thought I would post it here.
This was originally created as a "call to action" to get involved in the petition drive for the repeal of Oregon SB2 and HB2007.
For more information about this petition drive, see the Concerned Oregonians website.

The Crossroads

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Throughout history there have been seemingly insignificant events that when looked back upon cause us to reflect upon the foolishness of man and the wisdom of God. Alfred the Great, Martin Luther, William Wilberforce all made decisions that were not considered "popular" by those that were their contemporaries in their day, but they were the right decisions before almighty God.

I believe we have come to a crossroads not unlike those that faced those men and our choice is the same: will we do what is right in God's eyes, or will we choose to be a pleaser of men?

On November 7, 2004 the citizens of Oregon overwhelmingly passed Measure 36, which established statewide the definition of "marriage" as "between one man and one woman." Last year, on May 9, 2007 Governor Ted Kulongoski signed two bills into law, SB2 and HB2007. These bills essentially undo Measure 36 and provide "special rights" to gays, lesbians and trans-genders "regardless of whether the individual's gender identity, appearance, expression or behavior differs from that traditionally associated with the individual's sex at birth."

In response to these two bills, two initiatives have been filed with the Secretary of State. These two initiatives (144 and 145) are quite simple: they repeal both SB2 and HB2007. I believe that the citizens of Oregon will pass these initiatives if they are given the opportunity to vote on them this November. Oregon citizens, however will not have an opportunity to vote on these initiatives if they are not placed on the ballot; 82,769 valid signatures must be gathered to make that happen.

Concerned Oregonians (www.ConcernedOregonians.com) has been formed to organize the signature gathering process and I have accepted the position as Hub Leader for the Salem area.

Some might see the crossroad before them as "to sign or not to sign" but I do not see it that way at all. These are two of the most morally and culturally devastating bills in Oregon's history. They don't just attempt to undermine "marriage," an institution established by God in the beginning of time as between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). These bills through their redefinition of "gender" attempt to undermine the relationship between Father and Son; an eternal relationship that has existed forever.

The crossroads before you is not "to sign or not to sign", it is "to act or not to act."

As the Hub Leader for Salem I am in great need of volunteers to assist in the effort in gathering signatures in the Salem area. I would strongly encourage each of you to go to the Concerned Oregonian's website at: www.ConcernedOregonians.com and to sign-up as a circulator or in whatever other capacity the Lord leads you.

When I was asked to accept this position, a quote was brought to my mind that was often heard coming from the lips of a faithful servant who has since gone to be with the Lord:

"I don't know what I can do, but I know I can't do nothing." - Doug West

I echo that statement; I have never been in a position like this, but I do know I *can't do nothing*. It is my prayer that if that same uncertainty also grips you, you will allow it to be overcome by the knowledge that He "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" and that "according to the power that works in us" you will choose to *act* (Eph 3:20)

"To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Eph 3:21)

Choose to Act and Sign-Up Here

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