God’s word reminds us that our home is in heaven, that though we are in the world we are not of the world, and not to love the things of this world. Some church leaders and Christians believe the bible says that we are to stay out of politics and government altogether. However, scripture also tells us that we are to stand for good and fight against evil. Sound confusing? Not really, when you understand God’s word in its proper context. Read Jeff Hunt’s (Director of the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University) compelling article, “Why Christians Should Defend Godly Principles in Local Government,” for clarity and encouragement. “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be "cured" against one's will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.” - C.S. Lewis

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” (Isaiah 5:20-21)

What does it mean to “Love Your Enemies?”  

As Jesus was teaching during his ministry on earth, his followers found some of his commands difficult to understand, even confusing.  Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” was one of them.  Bear in mind that his listeners were living in the brutal and oppressive Roman Empire, which at its height spread over nearly two million square miles around the Mediterranean Sea, in both Europe and Africa.  Jesus and his followers didn’t just have annoying or rude people in their lives, they had barbaric and murderous enemies.  

Why would Jesus ask us to love our enemies?  Because Jesus loved us first and paid for our sins by dying on the cross, even while we were his enemies.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)  When we confess our sins, ask for his forgiveness, and invite him to come into our lives as our Lord and Savior, he does so and expects us to extend love and forgiveness to those who have wronged us as well.  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:43-45  

Most of us won’t encounter enemies like those in Jesus’ time, but we’ve all experienced some level of hurt, betrayal, hatred, or other abuses.  So, how do we love our enemies?  We can only do this with God’s supernatural love working in and through us.  This doesn’t mean we forget what our enemies have done nor allow them to harm us further, but in faith and obedience we tell Jesus all about it, let his love work in and through us, and leave the consequences to him.  “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.  On the contrary:  ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’   Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  (Romans 12:17-21)

God’s Cure for Racism

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Billy Graham were spiritual giants who changed millions of lives because of their steadfast devotion to Jesus Christ, and by fulfilling His unique plans for their lives.  Both men came from humble backgrounds and lived in the South during the tumultuous, violent days when America was struggling with racism, inequality, and segregation.  God had paralleling missions (to preach the gospel and confront racism) for King and Graham, and their paths would eventually cross.  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Matthew 22:39)   

King was a young Alabama minister in the early 1950s, while Graham had been holding crusades across the country since the late 1940s.  In 1952, Graham took a stand for race equality in Mississippi by refusing to segregate crusade attendees.  After the Rosa Parks bus incident in 1955, King agreed to become the leader of a boycott of the bus company; his decision would eventually make him the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Soon after becoming acquainted, Graham asked King to open one of his crusades with prayer in 1957, as well as to speak at a staff retreat to help them “understand the racial situation in America more fully.”  As racial tensions grew in the 1960s, Graham cancelled a tour in Europe to preach a series of crusades in Alabama.  Both men continued to preach and pray for an end to racism, and God answered. In 1964, the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act which outlawed discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, required equal access to public places and employment, and enforced desegregation of schools and the right to vote.   “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers.  They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.   A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.   So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.   But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.   He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.  Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.   The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper.  ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”   The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”  Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:29-37)

What is Critical Race Theory?

Rooted in Marxism, Critical Race Theory’s (CRT) racist and divisive ideology has swept across the U.S. in our K-12 schools, universities, businesses, and government. CRT ideology argues that racism has always been a part of our institutions, pitting race against race, and has created countless oppressor v. victim environments. CRT has become a multi-million-dollar industry for clever hucksters who claim systemic racism exists, then offer their materials and services - for a price - as the cure. Read this article from Hillsdale College’s “Imprimus” publication to learn about CRT’s origin, teachings, and dangerous mission.

Falsely accusing one race of deliberately oppressing another race is terribly damaging to society and very hurtful when children and young adults are involved. How should we respond to CRT ideology? Make sure you know your history and speak the truth in love. Additionally, obey God’s command to treat others as we want to be treated. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:8-9)

Male or Female or Other?

Science clearly proves that there are two sexes (genders) - male and female. However, powerful pro-LBGTQ organizations are forcing transgender and gender fluidity ideology into every institution in America - including education, business, sports, entertainment, government, healthcare, and religion. Transgender special civil rights have become mainstreamed; those who express scientific and/or religious objections to this ideology are labeled as transphobic, and are subject to severe social, financial, and legal consequences. Children and young adults are being counseled at their public schools - without parental consent - to question their gender identity and are referred to clinics that specialize in gender transitioning treatments and surgery, which may have tragic consequences in later years. [Jesus] said to His disciples,“It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” (Luke 17:1-2)

Read this thoughtful and informative speech given at Hillsdale College by journalist and author Abigail Shrier. Read also “Transgender Surgery Isn’t the Solution,” written by Dr. Paul McHugh, former psychiatry chair at Johns Hopkins Medicine. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

Let us seek to mutually understand, respect, and love one another in light of God’s truth. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” (1John 4:7-8)

U.S. Lawmakers’ Abortion Legacy

On June 8, 2021, Democrats introduced "H.R.3755-Women's Health Protection Act of 2021" in the U.S. House of Representatives. On September 24, 2021, all Democrat House members (with the exception of Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) voted in favor of the bill, while all Republican House members voted no. On May 11, 2022, the same bill (“S.B.4132 - Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022”) was rejected in the U.S. Senate by all Republican senators and one Democrat senator. The bill would have invalidated nearly all existing state restrictions on abortion, including late term and parental notification. The determined efforts from House and Senate Democrats were in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s impending decision on “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,” a case that challenged the State of Mississippi’s “HB-1510 Gestational Age Act,” which bans abortions after 15 weeks.

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold “HB-1510 Gestational Age Act,” thus overturning the nearly 50-year-old “Roe v. Wade” (a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established abortion as a right under the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment), sending the issue of abortion back to individual states. It is estimated that more than 60 million unborn children have been aborted since Roe V. Wade was established. “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13-24)

The United States of America was founded on timeless Judeo-Christian principles, and has been the symbol of freedom and liberty to millions of people for nearly two and a half centuries. Read the “1776 Commission - Final Report” to refresh your knowledge of American History and rekindle your love for our remarkable country. Find out what your child’s school is teaching about American history and make sure it’s unbiased and historically accurate

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)