We can’t stand for this, Woody

Woody, The Supreme Court just launched an unprecedented attack on the religious liberty and the traditional family. These unelected judges created - out of thin air - a "right" to same-sex "marriage," and ruled that all states must recognize these unions, regardless of their own laws. This is a watershed moment in American history. It's the most egregious rejection of traditional values and the Bill of Rights since Roe v. Wade. We can't let it stand! Woody, I'm running for President because I believe our traditional values are worth protecting. I believe that our religious freedom cannot and should not be violated by an overbearing government bending to the whims of a vocal minority. If you agree, will you stand with me by making a very important contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, or whatever you can possibly afford to my campaign right now? It's easy to talk the talk, but together we've walked the walk! I was the author of the Federal Marriage Amendment and I fought my own Party - YES, FELLOW REPUBLICANS - who did not even want to vote on it. But I demanded a vote and we got a vote! But now, with this same-sex "marriage" ruling, I have never been more driven to stand up for traditional families and defend the true and right meaning of marriage. If you'll stand with me, I urge you to make a generous contribution to my campaign right now. I promise that, as President, I will use the most powerful tool of the executive office - the bully pulpit - to have the national conversation on marriage and family that our current President refuses to have, and we will make the case that marriage cannot be redefined by unelected judges. My administration will talk about the implications on our society if we upend the foundational institution of humanity. We will talk about the importance of children having both a mom and a dad. If this president can use the bully pulpit to talk about trans fats, then my administration can surely use it to talk about the importance of the building block of society! But to get there, I need your help today. Please make the very best gift you possibly can right now. Woody, we have already gotten a taste of the fallout from this historic ruling. Family businesses have been shut down because they refused to cater gay weddings. Others have been sued for "hate speech." How long will it be before our churches and synagogues are in the crosshairs as well? This court ruling is the Roe v. Wade of the 21st Century. It's an attack on religious freedom, an affront to the religious liberty of millions of Americans, and a threat to the stability of our families. We can't allow it to stand. And as President, I will do all within my power to overturn it. If you'll join me in defending our families, our religious liberty, and our traditional values, I need your help right now, Woody. Please make a generous gift of $25, $50, $100, $250, or whatever you can possibly afford to my campaign right now. Thank you so much for your support. God bless, Rick Santorum PAID FOR BY SANTORUM FOR PRESIDENT

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This Is Not A Devotional-- It Is A Prophetic Word

"Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ...he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away.  Behold, the fresh and new has come!"  (2 Cor. 5:17, Amplified Bible)

I first typed, "Therefore is any person in Christ."  I changed it, of course, but wonder if our Lord Jesus was "saying" something to me.  Maybe it is a "word" to America.

Our text is no longer the message of Christendom.  Raising money, getting more bodies into church buildings has become the goal, not the salvation of sinners.  And I am not talking about "altar calls."  I'm talking about an encounter with Jesus Christ in which, yes, "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin," but also, "Christ in you," makes me, "a new creation," changes my life philosophy, my life style, my views and actions.  If "the sinner's prayer" does not lead to a changed life style, it is not a "new birth" nor an, "unless you are converted and become as little children," prayer.  It is simply a religious chant.

Because professing Christians stay away from the polls, because they see the "new birth," not as the beginning of conversion, a conversion which leads to, "If any man is in Christ...he is a new creation," but rather as a badge to get people to respect and accept them, to feel good about raising hands and dancing around in meetings, because of this, we have a President who not only accepts late term murder of the unborn, but also stands before the world scene and gloats in the rejection of the Word of God, gloats in the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, sin described in the Bible in terms unequaled in describing other sins.  Congratulations, America.  You are completing the circle of state sponsored barbarity.

I once thought that we could make a difference, but now believe we have reached critical mass.  I will continue to pray for The United States of America.  But the reality of this present age is the same as our Lord Jesus Christ found in Nazareth, "And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."  Likewise, if a nation persists in, "unbelief," God can do nothing.  More and more I struggle with what Jesus said to Jeremiah, "'And now, because you have done all these things,' says the Lord, 'and I spoke to you...and I called you, but you did not answer, therefore...I will cast you out of My sight....As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you."

When speaking of the "last days," Jesus said at one point, "by your endurance  (steadfastness) you will gain your lives" (NASB).  The context of these words of Jesus is a description of the horrid events of the, "end of the age."  A friend of mine yesterday said that he thinks what we are seeing in America is a further fulfillment of, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."  In the final analysis, you and I can only, "gain []our lives," not the lives of others, by obedience to Jesus Christ.  Let's "stick" together. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "For the sake of Your sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."  Amen. 
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Maybe I should dip into our savings for David's Tent

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"Eyewitnesses"

"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty....We ourselves...were with Him on the sacred mountain." (2 Peter 1:16 & 18 NIV)

I'm writing this in a Starbucks while Sarah is shopping, then off to celebrate 51 years.  Blues music is playing, which I happen to like, that is, if they just didn't sing.  I like the basic "blues" format.  I have noticed that of the 20 or so people who have ordered here while I was setting up, not one coffee.  All have ordered those whatever fancy drinks.  Hence, here I am "Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life," while I "soak" in His Presence.

Our text is a "favorite" of mine.  It is the old Apostle remembering that day on the mount when Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus discussing His coming finished work, "in His Cross."  What a day that must have been for him.  Many in my university and graduate school experience, however, thought that it was indeed, "cleverly devised stories."  Not Peter; not me.  Yes, what we read in the Bible is, "God-Breathed," but we also are reading the, "eyewitnesses," accounts of people.

You and I too have, "eyewitnesses," testimony.  No one can take that from us.  There is truth in the statement, "A man with an argument is no match for a man with an experience."  Peter is an example of this.  You and I are examples of this.  I was in that living room 45 years ago when Jesus "spoke" to me.  I was on that shooting range in the summer of 1966 when Jesus baptized me in the Holy Spirit.  I was in that Child Evangelism tent meeting beside that playground in 1953 when I made my first "public" commitment to Jesus (notice: living room, shooting range, playground).  Yes, I myself was, "with Him on the sacred mountain."  Still am-------- Yes, in Starbucks.   

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for those "moments," but thank You also for right now, right here in this coffee shop, You in me and I in You.  Amen.
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$800.00 still needed for David's Tent

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"....While We Wait...."

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say, 'No,' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait...." (Titus 2:11-13a, NIV)

"....while we wait...."  All Jesus has done for us and is doing for and in us has a, "while we wait," in it.  "....The grace of God...offers salvation to all people."  This is Good News.  And the same, "grace of God...teaches us to say, 'No,' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...."  Most in modern Christendom do not speak of, "say, 'No.'"  But this is all included in, "the grace of God."

"....while we wait...."--- for what, for whom?---- "the blessed hope-- the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."  We are waiting for Jesus.  Keep this in mind when, "ungodliness," rears its ugly head.  We are an active, a serving, "doing" people, yes, but we are also a waiting people.  The waiting says that there is more to come, indeed, a Someone to appear.  It won't be long now.  "....It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11)

Father, in Jesus' Name, may the reality that I am waiting for, "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," always control any, "ungodliness and worldly passion."  Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

It Is Not "Where," But "Who" Is "[God's] Sanctuary"

"Judah became [God's] sanctuary (the Holy Place of His habitation), and Israel His dominion."  (Psalm 114:2, Amplified Bible)

Notice that, "sanctuary," and, "habitation," in our text are not defined by place, but by people.  And the glorious reality is that since the Cross of Jesus, all Gentiles who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes," are included. 

Here in Johnstown, in this very house is, "....[God's] sanctuary (the Holy Place of His habitation)...."  Yes, it is.  And there where you are is, if you are a Follower of Jesus, one in whom Jesus Christ lives, "....[God's] sanctuary (the Holy Place of His habitation)...."  Why would some resist this reality?  Could it be that they would never have to say they have to "get into His Presence," or have to get to a great meeting, you know, that sort of special meeting and/or place where the professional religionists tell you is the "presence," as though you and I can never "experience the presence" without them?!?  But that is just so wrong.  It is people, people like You and me, not a building or "atmosphere," who are, "God's sanctuary (the Holy Place of His habitation)." 

So rejoice.  Right there, in that living room, family room, office, wherever you are is, "the Holy Place of His habitation."  There is a very real sense that as you and I move, so does, "the Holy Place of His habitation."  Your grocery store or hardware store probably never considered themselves such, but if a Follower of Jesus is there, so is, "[God's] sanctuary (the Holy Place of His habitation)" i.e., Presence. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, what a glorious reality that I and my Brothers and Sisters in Christ are, "the Holy Place of His habitation."  Amen.

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Still targeting David's Tent for September 18-22.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2