Are You a "Values Voter"?

     It really is a simple question: Are you a "values voter"?  I suppose I need to begin with defining the term.  A values voter is someone who participates in the election process by casting their votes for the candidates that most closely reflect their values.  Anyone can be a values voter - as values are individual. So with that bit of housekeeping in order, let us proceed.

     I consider myself a "values voter" because I try my best to determine what candidates on my ballot come closest to representing what I believe.  While I do not insist on a candidate holding the same specific doctrinal positions I do, or even be a member of "my church" or particular denomination, I do believe for a candidate to represent my values, they should be a born-again Christian. I further have a priority list of issues and positions that range from absolute, non-negotiable values, to those things that I can tolerate some variance in, to those things that have little weight in my values list. For example, among the issues that are non-negotiable are abortion (100% pro-life) and the biblical definition of marriage - one man and one woman (for life).

     But believe it or not, I have respect for those with very different views from me on my core issues, so long as they are genuine in their stand and with their vote.  Consistency that matches ones actual beliefs is admirable, and indeed brings me to the point I wish to make:

     If you consider yourself a "values voter (which I believe anyone taking the responsibility of voting seriously should be), then you will take the time and effort, no matter how "busy" you may think you are, to actually look at what the candidates say and believe. One glaring example of this is Jerry Falwell Jr. of Liberty University. Jerry has decided to throw his name and the name of Liberty University behind a candidate.  Of course, for such a public figure, particularly ministry-related, this can be a rather precarious step, regardless of who one supports. But I question if Mr. Falwell actually has even taken a moment to pray over his endorsement. With professing Christians in the race who have no qualms admitting their need for salvation, Mr. Falwell has decided to throw his weight behind a candidate who has a rather lengthy history of supporting "abortion rights", "gay marriage", and has praised socialist medical systems across the border. Certainly I am a firm believer that anyone can be changed in the very heart by the Divine hand of God through His Holy Spirit. Yet This particular candidate Mr. Falwell has chosen to endorse has never actually repented of his support of those very positions that Falwell himself claims to abhor.  This candidate has even specifically stated recently that he has never asked God for forgiveness, even going so far at one point to say "thats not my thing".

     This is the same candidate who has made a fortune through both shady and sometimes quite dishonest business practices, casino operations, and even strip clubs. This is a many who has made such a mockery of marriage as to render any opinion he now might express rather weak at best.

     And this endorsement by Falwell Jr., the son of famed evangelist and preacher Jerry Falwell Sr., who made a great deal of his name by leading the "moral majority" and their campaign against morality in this nation (love him or hate him). So the Falwell name goes from staunch opposition to smut and rampant sin, to endorsing a candidate who had made his fortune off of smut and sin. This is the same candidate that even Planned Parenthood has said they could live with (could it be the friendly statements he has made on their behalf defending the abortion mill? Or maybe the donations he has made to them over the years?).

     But let us take another glance at this situation - maybe one doesn't hold the same moral and biblical positions as the traditional Falwell family positions or mine.  But what does this candidate stand for that, just maybe, could be in some way redemptive?  He has a campaign slogan he rests his entire political fortune on - "lets make America Great again".  Hey - I like that! So, please tell me how that is going to come about (and what might that actually look like)? Oh, wait - so this candidate doesn't really have much of a plan to actually bring this to pass. But hey - he has some great hats and t-shirts available that say "Lets make America Great"!

     Well, maybe this candidate is going to fix the economy, right?  After all, we have record numbers on public assistance, record numbers unemployed or otherwise not in the workforce. So this candidate brings up coming down on China with tariffs because of unfair Chinese trade practices. Ok - thats fine. Except that this candidate has profited hugely by that same-said China trade situation that he now condemns.

     So again, I ask - are you a "values voter"? Do you actually care enough to measure available candidates by your own values (assuming you actually really know where you stand on the issues)? Regardless of your moral and political positions, I import you to do do-diligence and actually vote according to your beliefs and values, even if they are contrary to mine. But don't just base your vote on what the media tells you (about ANY candidate). Don't just rely on sound bites. What does the candidate really stand for and on? What is their record, whether in the political realm, or the private sector?

     But if you have made it this far and are still reading, and hold to what you believe are biblical/Christian values, please - for the very name of the Christ you profess - be careful who you support.

     And finally, I found the following to be rather convicting.  We are NOT stuck trying vote for the "lesser evil".  As I have said many times over the years, the "lesser evil" is still evil!

http://www.stepstopoliticalepiphany.com

     Please take voting seriously. Take any endorsement you chose to make just as seriously, and PRAY!

God's Not Dead 2, An Early Review

We just got home from an advanced screening of God's Not Dead 2 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  I will say right off the bat that this one is a better overall film than the original, an odd and somewhat surprising departure from the usual pattern of sequels often coming up short of the original.  That being said, there are some serious concerns I have which will be touched on in this entry.

From the web site:

From the college classroom of GOD’S NOT DEADto the public square in GOD’S NOT DEAD 2, the name of Jesus is welcomed less and less with each passing day. If Christians don’t take a stand today, will we even have a choice tomorrow?

Welcome back to Hope Springs … home not only of Hadleigh University, but also Martin Luther King Jr. High School, where beloved teacher Grace Wesley helps students understand and enjoy history. Her love of teaching, her love for her students, and her love of life all come from the same place: her love of Christ.

So when Brooke, a hurting student grieving the loss of her brother, reaches out to Grace, their coffee-shop conversation naturally leads to Grace sharing the hope she finds in Christ.

When Brooke later asks an honest question about Jesus in the classroom, Grace’s reasoned response lands her in big trouble—almost before she even finishes giving her answer.

With the principal and superintendent joining forces with a zealous civil liberties group, Grace faces an epic court case that could cost her the career she loves and expel God from the classroom—and the public square—once and for all!

GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved Pure Flix movie from 2014 and features an all-star cast. Coming to theaters beginning April 1, 2016, GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 will have audiences standing proudly for what they believe … while they still can. Where will you stand?

The short:

MPAA Rating : PG (for the life of me, I cannot figure out where that rating came from, see below)

Featured Actors (Character): Jesse Metcalfe (Tom Endler), David A.R. White (Pastor Dave), Ray Wise (ACLU lawyer Pete Kane), Robin Givens (Principal Kinney), Hayley Orrantia (Brooke Thawley, Melissa Joan Hart (Grace Wesley), Ernie Hudson (Judge Stennis), and several more, including The Newsboys with other rolls from the original film reprised by the same actors.

Ratings Content: None- no nudity, no violence, no profanity, no adult situations, no sexually provocative or innuendo. Indeed, I could not find anything worthy of a "PG" rating, other than the name of Jesus.

The GOOD: As mentioned above,Mathis is an extremely "clean" film, with no morally concerning content. Also, there was what I perceived as a more focused attempt to make the presentation of the Gospel more "natural"/less contrived.  Some of the characters are actually believable, and most of the acting is at least average or better.  This movie presents an almost believable illustration of someone struggling with their faith when the circumstance that led them to faith no longer applies. As is typical for PureFlix and David A.R. White films, there is a sometimes awkward juxtaposition of comic relief with very serious material, though even that was less of a forced nature in this movie than its predecessor.  Finally, this film is entertaining and encouraging, even if somewhat predictable. And praise God there isn't the formulaic "dying breath conversion" so common in Christian films (especially from this company). And believe it or not, there will be some "Amen" moments as the plot deals with some current event controversies (maybe too many forgone film?).

The BAD:  this film is not without its flaws. Some production gaffs- one of the most glaring is that "Martin Luther King Jr. High School" (filmed at Benton High School, in Benton, AR)  had Benton School District busses. Yet the setting of the film doesn't match.  There are a few day/night mismatches in the storyline (mostly not too noticeable).

Things to be cautious or even disturbed about (if you are concerned with spoilers, you might want to skip the following):

Most of the factors to be cautious about, or that present an issue fall under the theological/doctrinal umbrella. The most concerning was a consistent lean on experience and "feelings" as evidence of God and faith. One of the main characters bemoans how God doesn't "feel close", but instead like "He is a million miles away" and that she "cannot hear Him speaking to me any more".  A single reference to God audibly speaking to her might have been almost excusable. Unfortunately, it is a repeated concept in the film (Charismatic viewers will probably classify this as a GOOD thing, but I digress).  

Another concern that will likely no phase many evangelical viewers- the unscriptural "ask Jesus into your heart" Soteriology, along with a lack of any mention of repentance. 

 A fresh believer (from the original movie), just months (in the two movie timeline) into his new faith and full of questions for Pastor Dave (David A.R. White), the verbalizes his "call to ministry", to be a pastor to his country (China). Add to this that there is no indication that any of the characters have a regular church family (especially confusing with this young man's "call to ministry".  I also wonder why there was no demonstration of the main character, Grace (Melissa Joan Hart) having a regular church home/family (and none come stand beside her in her "trial".

And of course, as has become a predictable part of most of these kinds of films, especially from PureFlix- some fairly contrived circumstances, some of which may very well feel so forced because of editing. Quite possibly the editing was a bit heavy-handed in spots, leaving some plot gaps. 

Summary Thoughts:  While God's Not Dead 2 has some theological issues, particularly with Soteriology and experience-based, pragmatic faith,mismatch least partially redeems itself by not shyingnawaynfrom challenges to our faith and the reality that JesusnHimself warned us of: that there is a cost to following Him. The over-arching message is "will you stand on your faith, or are you "ashamed of the gospel?" Not everyone will even blink at the "issues" this film has (some of which were detailed above), but the vast majority of Christians who see this movie will leave encouraged, and Impray, more willing witnesses of the hope that is in them in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). 

Look for some interesting characters (played by themselves), including Lee Strobel, author of "Tje Case For Christ", and real-life cold-case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace who serve as witnesses in court.

Some of my more "militant" (some call it "cage stage") Reformed friends will have a difficult time just enjoying God's Not Dead 2 specifically because of the above issues. But for those able to either filter through or overlook these concerns, you will likely enjoy this film, possibly more so than the original.

What IS The Gospel?

We hear a lot in this nation the term "Gospel". Those of us in ministry focus a great deal on the term - yet so many have such a limited understanding of what the Gospel REALLY is.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 "it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

In a nutshell, the Gospel is the power of God for salvation - It is the outpouring of God's Grace and mercy towards sinners. It is the testimony of the miracle wrought by God in Jesus Christ - who, as John 1:1 clearly indicates has existed alongside God the Father from the foundation of the World (without beginning or end). This Jesus who "emptied Himself" to take on flesh, to dwell among mankind (Philippians 2), who lived without sin (though tempted in all means Hebrews 4:15), and who willingly gave His life for all who would believe.

But WHY would Jesus give His life for us? Because of His great love - and because we all sin and fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23).  We all deserve, even if we might seem to be relatively "moral", nothing but eternal damnation - because the wages, the just payment for sin is - Death (Romans 6:23).

I spent decades of my life with the belief that I could somehow balance out good for bad in my life. If I just did enough stuff that appeared to be the kind of stuff one just "ought" to do - then I would get entry into the "Pearly Gates".

But God...

You see, God doesn't leave folks in ignorance - He grants, through His Holy Spirit knowledge and conviction of sin. He then fulfills His promise to give us a new heart (His), and even a new mind (Ezekiel 36:26). He then regenerates us, granting us (through His Grace), faith unto salvation. The gift of Eternal Life, that is all, totally, and 100% a GIFT of God - that not a one of us could possibly brag or boast of what "we" did... Ephesians 2:8-9

And He did it all for HIS glory.

The Gospel... it isn't just words.  It isn't just a "prayer". It is a very real, tangible, and powerful change in us, brought, empowered, and sustained by the Lord of lords, the King of kings - bought by His own precious blood.

Who Do You Associate With?

In my decade and a half in education, I attended many conferences and conventions, with the vast majority being music and band focused (logical, as I was serving as a band director at the time).  I am fairly certain that most of my friends still in that field would agree that there is value in conferences, but also you have to filter through and make decisions about what to attend and what not to attend. Indeed, if offered a conference that pushed an educational or music agenda known to be seriously flawed or even harmful to our students, a discerning educator would avoid that conference.

In the realm of church work, conferences have become a multi-million dollar business.  One can find "Christian" conferences on every angle and aspect of church work, methods, growth, and theology. These conferences are put on by denominational entities, publishers, ministry-related businesses, and many other groups. And just like in every other field, there are solid, biblical conferences, as well as those that push and stretch the definition of "Christian" to extremes. I have attended a few, and have a few ministry friends who love attending conferences. Yet a troubling trend is developing that begs for a whole lot more discernment from Christian leaders, especially those who take groups of youth (or adults) to many of these conferences. Discernment that begins, not with snazzy titles or catch phrases. Discernment that goes beyond glossy, high-energy promotional materials. We need a healthy dose of discernment regarding the reality of what is being taught or even promoted by said conferences.

Might I suggest beginning with a sincere look at who the promoters and organizers of said event are. Do they follow a biblically sound statement of faith and purpose? Is the event a profit-driven production? What is the core message (not the advertising catch phrase)?

As a pastor, I am constantly bombarded with advertising through every medium for conferences that cover every corner of ministry, and from many doctrinal and theological perspective. Sadly, many have underlying them, some troubling foundations.  First, who are the speakers? An extremely popular conference going on this weekend that several friends are attending called the Passion Conference.0, proudly features a Charismatic self-described woman preacher who espouses Word of Faith, name-it-claim-it theology (Christine Caine). Other popular conferences of late have featured similar slates of speakers from experiential, charismatic speakers with similar questionable doctrines mixed in with other, more reliable speakers. Many of our Christian leaders gladly take group ® young believers to these conferences, where they sometimes are taught that experience trumps genuine faith and obedience. Where consumerist church is demonstrated, and pragmatic/experience-based revelation is often more valuable than the Word of God, rightly proclaimed.

Don't get me wrong, we could learn a few things from some ministries that may be somewhat different than our own.  Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer published a book a few years ago titled Transformational Church.  In that book, the authors did research-based investigation of somnolence fastest growing congregations in the nation, examining the useful parts of what those groups were doing to impact their communities. They did not deal with denominational or doctrinal issues, but instead sought the functional things these congregations and leaders were doing that really made a difference. This book has a great deal of useful information, without a heavy promotion of the various theologies espoused by those studied.

But when one attends a conference, the speakers are under no constraints. How many churches our own association would invite a Charismatic, oneness Pentecostal, Word-Of-Faith preacher to be a guest preacher or to lead revival services? Yet would we will load up a bus and take impressionable young believers to be influenced by the same teaching?

At best, we present a form of stumbling block of confusion to our brethren. Much worse, we may actually be endorsing theologies and doctrines that fly in the face of Biblical Christianity.

Discernment...not just another big word in the a bible, but a command to believers, and particularly to Christisn leaders in the church, for the sake of the faith and our brethren.

A Challenge for Today and Beyond: CD!

Here is a thought for today (and every day) - maybe better a challenge: Corum Deo- to live your life each and every day before the LORD.

What does this mean? After all, God sees all things - so everything is done and lived out "before God"! Coram Deo, simply put, is to intentionally live out our lives, our decisions, our words, and our hearts with God at the forefront. It is to really grasp that God is really Omnipresent, and so we also must come to grips with the fact that not a single action or thought in our lives is beyond God's view! It is also the vivid reminder that we all must give an account one day. Whether we be lost headed for eternal judgment in Hell and the Lake of fire because we are unregenerate sinners, or we are born-again, yet living outside of our professed faith (Jesus said if we love Him, we will keep His commands! - John 14:15). All must give an account.

Living Coram Deo means to live out our entire lives, every moment of every day, in the presence of, and in submission to God and His Sovereign authority.

To live a life of Coram Deo means to live a life of integrity. It means we will recognize that our lives paint a picture to the world (I have preached it as our lives as a living epistle to the lost world).

Living Coram Deo means that we not only keep Christ's commands, but that we most importantly act out of love, and speak Truth even in the face of opposition.

Coram Deo will rarely be the easy way. Indeed, living every moment of our lives under awareness of God's oversight and authority will indeed put all of the trifles and struggles, temptations and frustrations in proper perspective.

How has my life today honored and glorified God? Are my decisions today pleasing to God? Are the words I choose to use going to point others to the Savior? Are the priorities I set, God's priorities?

Won't you prayerfully contemplate the challenge?

A Day That Will Live In Infamy

Friday is the anniversary of a day that will live in infamy for me. I remember so vividly walking in to the library at Carlisle High School, passing through to the study hall room when Ms. Vanessa Haun, with tears and a shaky voice met me and asked if I had heard about an airplane hitting the World Trade Center.

We quickly got a TV out and hooked up to the cable-just in time to see the 2nd tower hit...

I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I remember the questions that flooded.  I recall the one know-racist and anti-American student who laughed and celebrated and caused me to come unglued.

And I remember praying. Praying like I had never prayed before. 

I remember watching the towers fall in on themselves.

I remember the initial reports of possible casualties upwards of 50,000 or more. 

I remember the somber "relief" that the number was far lower.

I remember when the third plane hit the Pentagon, which actually was the event that made me feel the most vulnerable, as that represents the center of the military that is our nation's defense...

And then he news of flight 93 going down, with the revelation over the next few days of the heroism exhibited by passengers.

And I remember the sadly brief unity our nation nearly saw. Unity to seek justice. 

Yet somehow, 14 years later, we now have a nation and leadership that won't even call such at tacks "terrorism".  A nation that now is offended by everything, and is afraid of insulting those who practice the religion that is at the core of those attacks in 2001. The religion that has perpetrated ongoing attacks in a smaller scale all around the world since then.

I am no war-monger. Indeed I am tired of the loss of life,with far less of a strategy than we had post 9-11. I grieve for those who gave their lives only to have the near victory surrendered to Islamists who are far worse than the enemies we faced a decade ago.

I am grieved that we have an administration that has chosen the path of evil, the path of surrender to cultists of Satan who are Hell-bent on destroying this nation. Instead, we ratcheted up the entertainment, the prosperity "gospel", and made hollow sales pitches based on unbiblical ideas. And now we have a nation more spiritually dead than ever, so easily offended by the slightest hint of offense. 

I am disgusted that our nation has so rebelled against God that the wholesale slaughter of millions of unborn babies barely stirs more than a minority of citizens, even when confronted with the butchery and profiteering coming from it.

We have become a nation of the offended. The slightest "offense" is grounds for riots and looting. Those in highest office have fostered a spirit of hate for law enforcement, claiming that police have declared an open hunting season on Black men, while actually encouraging the daughter of police officers.

I long for the unity we nearly saw right after the sorrows of 9-11.  Many turned to God and the Bible, giving an open door for genuine Christians an opportunity to live out the Apostle Peter's instructions To "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you..." (1 Pere 3:15).  An opportunity to draw people together in the Gospel. 

And now in the United States of America,smoke public schools are teaching the "5 Pillars of Islam", while the mention of "Jesus' Name" is forbidden. Where even a school band is barred from playing music the MELODY from a Christian hymn.

Where Christian, biblical values are the enemy, and where those who live in open rebellion against the Word of God are lifted up as brave heroes.

Come Sweet Jesus!

Freedom FROM Religion? Really?

I find it hugely ironic that organizations such as "Freedom From Religion", funded by and representing Atheists exist. Why, you might ask, is it ironic?

The answer is quite simple - you see, 100% of people adhere to a "religion" - even avowed Atheists! You see - "religion", at its simplest meaning is a system of beliefs that affect your life/how you live. Whether one is a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Animist, etc., your beliefs have an impact on your life. Atheism, the professed belief in NO God still directs how they live. Some might refer to their belief system as "secular humanism".

So, by railing against other religions (with a particular distaste for Christianity), they are actually imposing THEIR system of beliefs (aka - Religion) on the those around them.

So, remember the principal of "Freedom OF Religion" in light of the above. The Funding Fathers and the Constitution never even imagined a "freedom FROM religion" - because that is an impossibility, nor did those same Founders promote a LACK of religious expression in the public.

And a parting blow: Even the less religious of the Founding Fathers - those that many anti-religion zealots like to point at... those men were primarily Deists - they were welcoming of Christian values and did not express offense at the words and actions of their Christian fellow leaders. They worked side-by-side with them. They didn't insist on silencing the Christians. They even enjoyed Congress opening with a Christian preacher giving a sermon to open their sessions.