Wisdom teeth, the Bible, and the future
So I had my wisdom teeth pulled on Monday which was about as much fun as a sharp stick in the eye. After a day of R-n-R, I've just been dealing with soreness and lethargy. You see, the drugs they prescribed for me to decrease the pain make me feel like numb all over.
So this morning, after talking through support raising efforts with our future staffers (Nate, Holly, and Luke (in absentia)), I turned to read the Bible, but felt more like sleeping. So I wondered to myself, "Self, surely there is some on-line audio versions of the Bible." A quick google took me to BibleGateway.com where I could select the specific book and chapter of any book of the Bible and instantly listen to a very clear reading of the Word by Max McLean. It was a blessing to my weary soul.
After listening to Proverbs 28 (the Proverb of the day), a thought stood out to me that was twice repeated in that chapter. It said, "When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding." (Prov. 28:12... see also 28:28).
As many of you know, I follow the tide of politics in our land and have become very concerned with the way the liberal ideology of the Democratic party is taking our country. I'm not talking about economics or international policy here. I'm talking about fundamental American freedoms like the freedom of speech to say that homosexuality is harmful and is a sin... or that I don't want my tax money to support human clone and kill research... or to speak my mind without being required to balance that with the opposite viewpoint. I'm not making these things up. All of these laws are being passed at the state and national level and our governor is eager to sign them into law.
The other pastors of Stonebrook and I had a sober discussion yesterday about the very real possibility for any one of us to end up in jail if we preach on such clear biblical issues such as: homosexuality, spanking, creation, abortion, and women's roles. I just read that a daughter was taken by force from the home of a German couple because they were homeschooling her. And know this, so far, what happens in Europe eventually finds it's way here.
So we talked about the need for stronger equipping in biblical apologetics for the saints... but I think we will also need to prepare the saints to suffer for their faith. Jesus warned us that even the elect will be tempted to be deceived, if that were possible (Mark 13:22).
Comments
Wow... what shocks me is that I wasn't even aware that these laws were being contemplated and are almost into existence! I wonder how many people know this! It makes me sad to see our world crumbling all around us... but as you said, we were warned that we will suffer for our faith... and ready or not, here it comes! Thankfully, God is in control, and He has great plans for the saints, even in the face of this adversity!
Posted by: Holly at March 29, 2007 09:35 AM