Columns

For many months I have been expressing deep concern for the spiritual condition of both the church and our nation. I believe with all my heart we are headed in the wrong direction. The only hope for a return to sanity, stability and security is for the church to awaken and truly pierce the darkness with God’s love and God’s truth. There is no other way to see the tide turned.

We are called and challenged to pray. The apostle Paul refers to “praying without ceasing.” This means a life of fellowship and continual communication with a personal heavenly Father. Both the Old and New Testament teach that we can have such a meaningful relationship with God that we are able to hear Him as though it was a conversation.

To those who care,

I have written many important columns, but never one more important than this one. As always, I am referring to issues of life and death, but this time it also includes the life, or death, of freedom we just celebrated on July 4^th.

One of the most meaningful documents ever conceived by mortal men was signed 234 years ago this weekend. When 56 brave men placed their lives and signatures on the Declaration of Independence, freedom and all of its blessings were bestowed upon America. For centuries, this Declaration has given hope to everyone on this planet who ever hoped to see possibilities that can only be offered by true freedom.

There is no real freedom apart from God and the acceptance of personal responsibility. There can be no effective government without responsible citizens living under moral order. Robert Morris and I taught a seminar titled, “Living Free – Breaking the Cycle of Defeat.” I hope and pray all readers will order the CDs and DVDs and watch them, share them with family, friends, Bible study groups, and churches.

This weekend is Father’s Day when hopefully earned appreciation is expressed for meaningful and positive contributions on the part of dads. I don’t think anyone questions the fact that missing fathers is the major reason for many of society’s failures. You don’t have to examine the inner city or areas of poverty without readily noticing the absence of men in their rightful place within the family unit. This is one reason I have such great appreciation for pastors and church leaders like my good friend Dr.

Forecasts of catastrophe often invoke the Titanic – that “unsinkable” ship that hit an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean back in 1912 and cost so many lives. The phrase “rearranging the furniture on the Titanic” refers to actions that have the appearance of doing something productive, but are actually pointless and futile in the face of the impending doom. I have heard people invoke that parallel in discussions about changing the direction of our country.

There has never been a more critically important moment for the Christian church. All professing believers must begin expressing love, compassion and conviction through consistent life practices. By the power of God, we must increase our compassionate care and outreach. How can this positive moral influence actually spread and bring about positive change on a national or global level? We need to discover the tipping point.

Yes, there can be good government and it is necessary. Government, as our founders understood it and as we must understand, should be “of the people, by the people and for the people.” The phrase “for the people” must not be interpreted as “taking care of the people.” Good, healthy, effective, appropriate government is always under control, never in control. Healthy government serves the people, but never enslaves them.

My heart overflows with God-given compassion for the suffering, for those who feel helpless and live with a sense of hopelessness. I know what it is like to feel forgotten, overlooked and to feel the pain of poverty. I also know that through the power of God’s grace and the wisdom He offers, we can be lifted out of any pit of despair or defeat. I have been so blessed as a husband, father, grandfather and a Christian that I cannot hold back the God-given desire to release this river of life toward others.