Columns

It is obvious for all with eyes to observe that when God and spiritual life decreases in importance, government expands its powerful, out-of-control attempt to be in total control and it expands rapidly. The less we hear God’s unadulterated Word, the duller our hearing.

Everyone wonders who will win this year’s national elections. The American people must win! If they do not, a humiliating collapse of our economy, security, and stability is imminent. The words of Jeremiah will prove true, “The Lord has rejected those in whom you trust and you will not prosper with them.” It is not just some candidates, representatives, and parties God rejects. It is God, His Word, and will that has been first rejected.

The democratic process we are blessed to have in this constitutional republic sometimes appears challenging, confusing, and frustrating. We watch candidates seek to expose their opponent’s weaknesses and end up exposing and weakening themselves. It becomes a self-elimination process, but it is a process for which every American should be grateful.

Almost to the day 50 years ago, I wrote the following letter to my sweetheart who would become my bride and precious wife for the past 48 years. At the time, I was attending college in Marshall, Texas, while she was back home near Houston.

Dear Precious Betty,

The blockbuster movie Titanic will be re-released in the theaters on April 6th, four days before the 100th anniversary of the real ship’s departure on April 10th, 1912. Once again in explosive, horrific, heartbreaking details the world will witness the unthinkable – the sinking of the unsinkable.

Today’s special New Year column is written by our son, Randy. But first, let me invite you to a service at Gateway Church in Southlake, where Betty and I are members. I will be speaking on Monday, January 2 at 7pm. The service will be broadcast nationwide on the Daystar Network and streamed live via gatewaypeople.com. It is part of what Pastor Robert Morris calls the “First Conference.” He likes to begin the year putting emphasis on “first things first.”

This weekend our family and friends are celebrating far more than seasonal holidays or winter break. Our hearts sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come…” We gladly receive the King and our hearts have gladly prepared room for this love gift from God. No apology for our devotion because, “He first loved us.” Imagine such royalty as a newborn baby lying in a manger, wrapped in modest rags as all heaven looked on rejoicing. Perfect love was born in a lowly stable because there was no room in the inn.

I remember clearly the first time I heard the name “Tebow.” Some of our family were watching a football game and I asked who was playing. Someone answered, “The University of Florida and some other team.” Neither were from our area. Curious, I asked why the interest in that game. Our son-in-law Terry Redmon answered, “I like Tim Tebow the quarterback.

Just before the first Christmas, the angels announced to the shepherds as they were joined by a vast heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased!” The shepherds set out to find and behold the Messiah. Their pursuit is the glorious pursuit. Discovering the Messiah personally is not only to be a priority, but it is the only way to peace in our personal lives and on this earth.

“Be angry, and sin not.”[1] The Scripture goes on to say we are not to let the sun go down on our wrath.