The Democratic Party's attempt to show itself as not purely atheistic and hostile to the Christian faith at the opening of their convention succeeded only in proving the opposite.

The emphasis was on "diversity," meaning you have your faith and I have mine and they are all equal and isn't that just swell, there being no such thing as a "one true faith," or for that matter, no such thing as "truth." Your god and my god and everyone's god(s) and/or no god who is both for and against abortion and gay marriage and isn't celebrating our "spirituality" swell? Such "gods," made in our minds to confirm our desires, are fantasies. The true god of such people is state power, what the philosopher Thomas Hobbes called "leviathan."

Opposed to this view is the true Christian faith which confesses Jesus as the unique Son of God, who today rules from heaven until he puts all of his enemies beneath his feet. Those who love him will show it by keeping his commandments and honoring no other gods. Certainly, they will not honor the State as god.

This is a test posting.  Published at 3pm Saturday 6/21.

Sunday morning.  The Lord’s Day.  Front page of the Orange County Register.  A love story.  A lesbian love story, of course.  An emotionally manipulative story, featuring a sympathetic 88 year old woman, reminiscing about her long time relationship with her recently departed lover.   A relationship she was forced to keep hidden from a mean spirited society which for no apparent reason frowned on it.  Just born that way you know.  Who would dare criticize an old woman sharing her heart in her final days?  Got to feel for her.  Got to sympathize.

 

And now, gentle reader, you also have to realize that your opinion of same sex marriage has been moved, not by reasoned argument, but by agenda driven emotional manipulation on the front page of the Register, formerly a newspaper.

The Church is God's chosen instrument for advancing Christ's kingdom on earth.  Jesus said all power was given to him in heaven and on earth, and for us to go therefore and make disciples of all nations.  He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us for this work.  It is the Church and only the Church that determines the spiritual climate in any area, society, or nation.  If our spiritual climate has deteriorated, it is due to the Church failing to function as intended.  If the Church has lost its saltiness, no amount of political action or legislation can change things.  Revival and reform must therefore begin in the Church.

Here are some specific areas where I see a need for reform in the Church:

1.   The current trend to "avoid politics" by down playing our opposition to abortion and the homosexual agenda must be identified for what it is, which is the fear of man.  As Martin Luther said, a willingness to oppose Satan any where on the battle line except where he is currently attacking is just cowardice.

2.   The lordship of Jesus must be affirmed over over every area of life, not just church, family, and self.  Our current practice of treating satan's rule over the government of nations as legitimate must cease.

3.   Local churches these days more resemble small businesses, with the pastors acting as entrepreneurs and the congregation acting as customers.  Pastors in any given city view each other as competitors.  The people view the churches as resteraunts from which they may pick and choose.  No wonder pastors preach a watered down, feel good message.  As for church discipline, for all practical purposes it does not exist.   No wonder we are divided and powerless.  The one or two percent of the population that are active homosexuals wield far more power and influence in society than the 60% who are Christian.