I think there is a word floating in the consciousness of every American who call themselves after the name of Christ...it starts with a P and ends with N; it is not new to the Christian Faith, just to us. Upon it's acting out the church was built, grown, established and even thrived. It's just that as Americans, we have been protected from it, but we read of it from other Christians, other countries. And their stories are enough to strike fear into our hearts at the thought of it becoming a reality for us. So, that's part of it.
Tony was listening to Bud Heddinger Wednesday morning; a lady (democrat) who normally called into the show, of course called in again. She made the comment that Republicans are going to have to compromise a little bit if they want any votes. In other words, Republicans are to 'values based' while the society at large is suffering from complete moral decay. Our discussion (Tony and me) led to the conclusion of a few things: This election was not political but moral. Republicans have always 'reached across the aisle' and compromised, and the compromise has been our undoing. God's motives (if we may be so bold to speculate) in putting Obama back in office was perhaps to send a message to Christians individuals, not a nation...NO COMPROMISE! The compromise of the Republican party has perhaps started with compromise of biblical values and truth on personal levels.
Well, we agree that MORE compromise is not an option; therefore, we will most likely never see the government in the hands of Republicans again...once ObamaCare is fully in place, people are not going to vote their 'freebies' away (one of the reasons he is still in office)....To bring America back would require a third party, which, most likely would require a Revolution.....thoughts for another day. But maybe God is trying to get a message to you, to me.
Now this morning...word for word of my thought process (a little jumbled, sorry)
#147 (I'm keeping a 1000 Gifts Journal) Ugly-Beautiful of Christian Persecution. Phil. 1:27-30 gave me pause this morning. Not sure if it's because of the recent election and our conversations around it, or what. Tony and I have talked about the fact that it's been conservatives who have compromised on every level, and that compromise down through the decades has been our undoing. It starts though, when individuals compromise through in their personal lives, it's easier, second nature to compromise on a a national level. Tony and I believe this is not a call to nations and politics, not a political call, but a moral call; for Christians in America to live apologetically uncompromisingly. Christians are supposed to be different. They're not of this world and if we live worthy of the Gospel, we will be persecuted. We are so afraid of being accused of hate, intolerance and bigotry that we've compromised and accepted compromise as a 'necessary evil'. (on a side...if we know we are not of this world, why do we try so hard to fit in?)
God's values are eternal while ours are temporal. The end result..I pray (wonder what 2016 would look like if God wrote the script.) 2016 will see a renewal, a revival in the lives of Christians - all those who call themselves by the name of Christ. Get back to Biblical values, not popular ones!
Will it be easy? No. But for those who are willing to 'let their conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, for those who stand fast and link arms against the rising tide of personal and national evil, who strive together for the faith of the Gospel, and do not allow themselves to be terrified by adversaries, to us, most likely it will be granted that we not only believe in God (Jesus Christ) but that we suffer with him, for his sake. Always remembering that 'to live is Christ, and to die is gain.'
I am apprehensive of what the future holds for my family, but I rest on this...in this world you will have tribulation, but cheer up! I've overcome the world; henceforth, there is laid up a crown of righteousness for you, and so many promises and examples of those who have gone on before.
Just as we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, may all who come behind me find me faithful. Faithful to a Person, a Cause that is mysterious and celestial, and in it's mystery, contagious...and in the end, Glorious!
#148 'your citizenship is in Heaven'
#149 Summary of Phil 4. Peace through prayer and thansgiving. Contentment in the midst of it all. Strength for the journey ahead. Provision, Divine provision. #looking for the city whose builder and maker is God....my true Home. We are strangers here. We're not meant to be comfortable here, at home here. It's because of God's blessings that we are, but maybe it was never his purpose for us to be?
So, read the short book of Philippians in light of all this, and I would appreciate your feedback/thoughts. Most of the NT books were written to persecuted churches...we can find comfort and guidance there. I don't want to be a prophetess of doom, or a 'yippee-skippee lets die for Jesus'. Neither do I want to fear persecution so much that it debilitates me as a Christian . What do you believe? Are you willing to die for it? Will you compromise to save your life? Does what we have come to expect in this life measure up with what Jesus says uncompromising followers of Christ can expect? Are you ready to live radically, even if it means your life, your family's lives?
On to lighter things....(was I compromising here?)
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| McQueen is a great distraction! |
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| Smile of Approval....lookin' good! |
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| after! Prince Bentley complete with Mickey Ears, seals and cape! |
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