Columns

We’ve heard for years that we’re in the middle of a “culture war.” A culture war, unlike a civil war, is not fought with guns and tanks, but with ideas, words, arguments, media, and education. Unlike ordinary political debates, it’s a fight over the fundamental principles on which cultures are based.

It is true we can be good, faithful, dedicated, Spirit-filled Christians even while living under the controlling power of men. Paul experienced peace and joy even in prison, but none of us want to spend our lives there. We can be subject to the rule of a Pharoah-type political system (socialism, communism, fascism, or totalitarianism), but we will not live well. Our ability to freely share and bless others by meeting their legitimate needs diminishes greatly.

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.