Posted in Bible Journaling, Church attendance, Evangelism

Cancel Culture, Curmudgeons and the Cross

So let me just preface today’s post by offering up a few statistics in America. 

The CDC says that if your are of the age of 0-70 you have a 99% survival rate if you contract the Covid. If you are over 70 the survival rate is nearly 95 percent. That being said, I realize (as an “at risk” person) that statistics are not just numbers, they’re real people with real families. I too have a real family that I wouldn’t want to receive a Covid diagnosis. But with that being said, I have real family that’s headed to Hell and I’m not blind or dumb. (No comments on the latter please)

According to a survey by the “Pew Report”, among adults who go to church regularly; 55% said their congregations place of worship is open with modifications, 21% said it is closed and 6% said it is open as normal prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. 45% of those surveyed said their house of worship required social distancing, 36% restricted attendance, 35% required masks, and 20% restricted singing. Online services are available through many churches for those fortunate to have the internet, but the percentage of elderly not being ministered to at all would be high if I were guessing. Meaning, don’t take my word for it, but I’ll bet I’m right. 

In looking through a list of business closures, a few states still have restrictions for businesses but most states have nothing formally in place, leaving it up to the common sense of their people. West Virginia is, of course, under a mask mandate. Please don’t get me started on a piece of paper preventing disease. You can disagree with me, it’s okay. 

Let’s face it, we’re all drastically effected by the virus and I believe that most of us are doing the best we can under the circumstances. But then there’s those doggone statistics at the beginning of this post. Only 1-5 percent of the relatively healthy population are at risk, and yet we’ve shut down our nation. Put schools and businesses out of business, closed nearly half of the churches in America. Something we’ve never done for the flu, and yet the flu does it’s share of damage to the American health every year. 

There’s a real virus, but that’s not what’s killing America. 

THE CANCEL CULTURE IS KILLING AMERICA

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 KJVS

[1] Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, [2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. [3] 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; [4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

It is unfortunate that I see many in the church being shaken. This post is not to discourage those at risk, who have opted to stay home because of the virus. But rather to encourage you and let you know that you are loved and prayed for. And I have a feeling that you would agree that your absence from the church has greatly affected you spiritually. We need that fellowship. That fellowship encourages us that we are not alone. It affords us the opportunity to physically feel the arms of Christ around us through His people. While cyber church is better than no church, it’s still not the same as in person church. The cancellation of fellowship is killing church attendance in a way that I fear will be permanent with many if we don’t get a handle on what we need to fear for the day of Christ is surely at hand. Is there not a falling away. Oh my stars. Is there ever!!! and it is so readily acceptable. This is just the way it is and there’s nothing we can do about it… ummm, I’m not so sure. And I’m going out kicking and screaming regardless. I’m tired of Satan messing with my people. He longs to be worshipped and if he cannot he desires to take away the worship of God. Hello COVID-19.

THE CURMUDGEONS ARE KILLING AMERICA

A curmudgeon is a bad tempered person, especially an old one. (i.e. ~ Pelosi, Schumer, etc) but old cranky people aren’t the only ones. Anyone who is ill tempered toward the people and purpose of God is a threat to America. 

Daniel 5:23 KJVS

[23] But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Every religion in this country is accepted and respected with the exception of Christianity. Why do you think that is? It has not changed since the days of Daniel. Nor has the price. God will not be mocked by anyone, and especially a generation that grew up in the America where God was reverenced and feared. 

I have once again been blocked from singing at the nursing home. Believe me, I understand it and believe it is necessary for their safety. But it saddens my heart, for these are not the curmudgeons. They long to be with the people of God, and hear Him praised and sing His songs. It’s why when Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York demanded that nursing homes expose their residents to COVID-19, it made me so angry. His arrogance at causing 6500 deaths, and yet making money from a book of how he rescued his State, makes me want to puke. All the while America stands by and very few call him out. I think I’ll order the coffee cup from www.AndrewCuomoIsAwful.com. It won’t fix the stupidity, but it will be a reminder for me to pray about it. 

THE CROSS WILL SAVE AMERICA

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 KJVS

[17] For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The only thing that’s going to save our Nation is the blood of Jesus Christ. There will be no political or worldly salvation, and Satan knows it. It’s why he is fueling the fires of anyone who comes against the church. He knows his time of evil is limited and this is a last ditch effort to take as many souls to Hell with him as he can. And liberal America has bought it hook, line and sinker. The justification of unchurching our Nation is pathetic. 

Paul knew what I know through wonderful teaching by mentors in my life. My words will not save anyone, but the word of God, that includes the cross, will save the world. Hallelujah! As long as we are on this earth, and Christ has yet to return, there is hope. But the reality is, He’s coming back and you, nor I, nor anyone is guaranteed one more breath. If you have not made a confession that Christ is Lord of all, that He died on the cross for the sins of all, and that He is now the Mediator and Intercessor for all, you need to take care of it now! If you know people who are lost (and we all do). Share Christ and the cross now! 

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

It’s not up for debate

chick debate

I did not watch the Republican debate a few days ago, and I cannot say that I’m sad about it. Republicans praised themselves for a job well done like high school jocks coming off the field after a winning game and the Democrats acted like school children poking fun of the new kid with weird clothes. And that was just the social media posts. The News crews didn’t act any better. Can you tell that I put little stock in American democracy? Will I vote? Of course I will, I’d be crazy not to; but the reality of it is we have a lot of crazy people in society who didn’t vote the last time else we’d not have the demonic forces in the White House that are there now. Hey… this is my blog, if you’re offended… get your own. It’s not my intent to offend, it’s my intent to stir your heart for the cause of Christ, not for the cause of a political party.

Life is not up for Debate

Romans 14:7-8 says “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

Although you may eat well and live well the truth of the matter is you do not control the length of your life. You may shorten it by stupidity, but the how long you live is entirely God’s decision. How you live your life is yours. You are either living it for God, or you are living against Him. There is no in between. Being a democrat is no more wrong than eating pork… unless you are a democrat who doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ, or you do not care that your behavior offends Jesus Christ or His people. Being a republican is no more right than not eating pork. Those are earthly titles and works, what are they doing for Christ? And if your goal is to offend the democrat… you’ve not presented Christ in a very good light, because Christ is not in either party, but the agenda of Christ better be in both if Christians are going to stand up for it. You are either 4for Him, or against Him and you are for certain living out one or the other by your decisions.

Judgement is not up for debate

Romans 14:9-10

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Whether or not we agree on candidates we need to understand that Christ died for all, so that living or dead we can have a relationship with Him. Opinions are like hearts, everyone has one; and they beat rapid or slow depending upon what they’re passionate for or about. Every heart of a child of God should be passionate about God’s people who He died for. Whether or not you agree with them, shouldn’t change how you feel about their soul. But that’s not what I see happening. Christian Republicans and Democrats alike are touting that they have only the best in mind for God’s people… and yet the evidence is to the contrary because neither side treats the other as God would intend. Both sides are judging from a human viewpoint… not God’s. And even though I certainly see God greater in one party’s agenda than the other, I don’t see that party coming together in the cohesiveness of Christ who died for all. Rather they have separate agenda’s that God is partially in and they themselves govern the rest of the agenda. Christ died for all (the entire agenda). You either live for Him or not… Not in part, but in whole.

The Final Authority is not up for debate

Romans 14:11

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

God will not be mocked… that’s Bible. And you may not care that you offend me or anyone else. But if you have offended God you’ve got problems. He is the final authority on life. He decides if you live or die, and when (not if) you stand before Him one day there will be no arrogance about you. There will not be a political party in Heaven nor an agenda up for debate; it was settled on the cross. Does yours line up with it?

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Posted in Easter, Life Inspiration, salvation

What Makes Good Friday Good?

CHICK GOOD  FRIDAY

The year was 1996, and it was my very first Easter as a baby Christian. Everything was new to me, even though I had likely heard it for 34 years. But the tradition of the nails in the cross during Good Friday communion was definitely a new experience. As I recall there were 100 or so folks attending the service and invited to take communion as a family or group of friends. But prior to their taking of the bread and drinking of the cup  each family member  would take a long heavy duty nail and pound it in to the old rugged cross on the platform of the church. Again and again the hammer hitting the nail echoed as soft music played in the background.

Clang…. Clang… Clang….

Each family or group that went forward was a testimony of what the Lord had done in their life. Sobs could be heard throughout the building as the heaviness of situation laid on hearts. Christ wasn’t on the cross, but every nail was a reminder that we each were accountable for the crucifixion of our Lord. He did that for me; it was my sins that nailed Him to the cross, and it was His love that brought Him down and His resurrection that allows me to live with the hope of victory over death and the grave.

Good Friday. Not a good day for Jesus that year, but a great day for Shari Johnson. The sacrifice of sin was too high for me to pay. What piddlely little sacrifices I make are nothing in the scope of eternity. Thousands of lambs were slaughtered in Old Testament days but were only a symbol of the worthy blood that would spill on the cross of Calvary.

The Price of Victory

Victory over death…

Corinthians 15:55

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Victory over circumstances…

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Victory over the attacks of the world…

1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

There is nothing that was not covered on the cross that day. Yes, it was our sin that caused the crucifixion, but it was His blood that fixed the sinner. If we are born of God, born again as Christ described to Nicodemus in

John 3 [Full Chapter]

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. …

Then we are to live in Victory! It’s us who live in defeat… and that’s not a worthy attitude for what Christ did. I pray today finds you with an attitude of Awesomeness! Because Christ believes you are. And that friend makes Good Friday Good!