tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362678412024-03-07T04:04:13.491-06:00A Debtor to MercyMy desire is to use this forum to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [me] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-30908112860768158802017-01-02T21:06:00.001-06:002017-01-02T21:08:45.990-06:00A sermon preached at the start of the New Year, from Hebrews 12:1-3<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="239" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/197816542" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="425"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/197816542">Sunday Service</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user43686623">OBC</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-25873807922715824152016-07-23T21:28:00.004-05:002016-07-23T22:31:45.080-05:00“Can you really vote for Hillary?”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIYxnPhMlRWLfOPhTf6X0Rgins6P4vdydwfCCTiqm7zGH4fkYaMXRw99ynXFbLqtrAPniKtozOSMIn14DeTgu6jdr6uJVyTJVbUa7XXft-9HCb5_yC0eR27SIMTE_4l8sOsQHbw/s1600/clinton-vs-trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIYxnPhMlRWLfOPhTf6X0Rgins6P4vdydwfCCTiqm7zGH4fkYaMXRw99ynXFbLqtrAPniKtozOSMIn14DeTgu6jdr6uJVyTJVbUa7XXft-9HCb5_yC0eR27SIMTE_4l8sOsQHbw/s320/clinton-vs-trump.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">I recently received the following message from
a friend and dear sister in Christ:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">“I understand what you are saying, but can you
really vote for Hillary?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that
God will put the one HE wants in office for what reasons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We as a nation have walked away from the Lord
and He will judge us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t with a
clear mind vote for her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">This was my response (slightly
edited and updated):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Thank you for the note.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t mind
your question at all; it’s a reasonable one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Before I answer, let me say that, based on Romans 1:18-32, I believe our
nation is already under the judgment of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course, it's not THE Judgment, as in the final Day of Judgment, but
it is judgment from God, nevertheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything described in that first chapter of Romans is happening in
American society today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not in a
good place spiritually, and I think that’s the greatest problem in our nation,
and the root cause of a whole multitude of other problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, I should make clear I don't believe the United States has ever been a
“Christian” nation—I don’t believe there is such a thing—but, we ARE a
Christianized nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>America has been
widely exposed to the gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
Americans can’t claim ignorance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, in
the sense that America has been exposed to the gospel, and because the
Christian church has been planted in nearly every neighborhood and town, we as
a nation HAVE walked away from the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To put it in scriptural terms, “since [we Americans] did not see fit to
acknowledge God, God [has given us] up to a debased mind to do what ought not
to be done” (Rom. 1:28).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">As far as this year’s presidential campaign, on the Republican side, we have
Donald Trump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally would have
preferred Rand Paul or, maybe, Marco Rubio, but the majority of Republican voters
chose Mr. Trump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot support Trump
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has repeatedly and
consistently demonstrated that he is an habitual liar, an egomaniac,
excessively thin-skinned, that he will not take responsibility for any of his
or his campaign organization’s wrong actions, that he will attack any and all
who dare criticize him, that he will childishly call people names, that he will
belittle and bully—really, Trump displays all the characteristics of someone
with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Besides these obvious psychological and character flaws, Trump also has
a history of demeaning women, fomenting gossip and conspiracy theories (e.g.,
accusing the President of not being an American, insinuating that Ted Cruz's
father was an accomplice to Lee Harvey Oswald, feeding 9/11 conspiracy
theories), and feeding anti-Mexican/anti-Muslim xenophobia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, of course, there is the fact that Mr.
Trump is twice-divorced and on his 3rd marriage, and has openly boasted of his
sexual conquests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides all this, Mr.
Trump has absolutely no experience in elective office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, the Presidency is not an
“entry-level” position, therefore Mr. Trump, based on his lack of experience,
is not qualified to serve in such a vitally important position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Taking all these things into account, it seems to me to be sheer lunacy for
Republican voters to put Donald Trump into position as their nominee for
President of the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
what I’ve seen, read and heard—and from what I saw of at this week’s Republican
Convention—Trump has been carried to the Republican nomination largely on a
wave of Republican fear and hatred—fear and hatred of Clinton-Obama, liberals-progressives,
immigrants, “Black Lives Matter,” Muslims, terrorism, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trump’s campaign is basically a campaign of
fear and hatred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Present-day Republicans
speak of their opponents in utterly hateful terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even one of their own—Sen. Ted Cruz—got booed
off the convention stage because he did not endorse Trump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a movement I want no part of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">As a Christian, I believe sexual relations are reserved for marriage between
one man and one woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I oppose abortion
in all cases, except when the mother’s life is in imminent danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, as a Christian, I consider
homosexuality sinful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, I
oppose so-called “gay marriage.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
Christian faith, therefore, puts me at odds with key parts of the social agenda
of the Democratic Party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">It is because of my faith, and because the Republican Party claimed to be
pro-life, pro-marriage and pro-family that I voted Republican in every
Presidential election from 1988-2004.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, by the Presidency of George W. Bush, I noticed something:
though the Republicans talked pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-family, and gave
lip-service to “Judeo-Christian values,” abortion still hadn’t been turned
back, families were still breaking up through divorce (even among pro-life
Christians), and homosexual activists still were advancing their agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also noticed some Republican politicians</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">’</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> wives claimed
to be “pro-choice,” in direct contradiction to their husbands’ stated campaign
position.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Then, it came out that
Vice-President Dick Cheney had a lesbian daughter, and that he and his wife
supported her same-sex relationship.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">And, then, we began this “War On Terror,” launched, ostensibly, to find
“weapons of mass destruction” which, as it turned out, never existed.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">So, we were lied to!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I came to see that putting my vote and
support behind Republican candidates had done nothing to advance a moral and
godly agenda in our nation because many of these Republican politicians did not
personally believe, practice or support a moral and godly agenda.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">In other words, evangelical Christians were
being played for fools by the Republican Party.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Every 4 years, Republican candidate trotted out the same pro-life,
pro-family speeches, but once they got our vote, it was back to business as
usual.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">So, during George W. Bush’s terms in office, I began to see that the
Republican Party was not really the party of Christian values.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They talked a good talk—especially at
election time—but really did not walk their talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let’s not forget the hypocrisy of the
Republican Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, being involved in sexual
affairs even as he encouraged the impeachment of President Clinton for lying about
his sexual affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s worth noting
Gingrich followed Speaker-elect Bob Livingston, who resigned before he ever
assumed the Speakership, because of his own sexual affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Gingrich was followed by Dennis Hastert,
who was recently convicted and sentenced for engaging in homosexual sexual
abuse when he was a high school teacher many years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My point: the Republican Party has used talk
of moral values to win the evangelical vote, but they really aren’t any more
moral than the Democrats they oppose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, on the other side, I’ve long been turned off by the Democratic Party’s
warm embrace of abortion and homosexual rights—specifically since the presidential
election of 1988 (GHW Bush vs Dukakis).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was primarily because of Democratic support of liberal social issues
that I chose to vote Republican in presidential elections (in city/village,
county, and state elections back in Illinois, I always voted for candidates
from both parties, voting for individuals, not parties).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, ever since I’ve been voting in national
elections (since 1984), I’ve always struggled with the fact that, in my
lifetime, the strongest voices in support of issues of concern in the black
community—especially among the working class and underserved black populace—has
always been the Democratic Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
the sad reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Historically, we can
see why, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 1960s, the
racial segregationists switched sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>President Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the
Voting Rights Act of 1965, combined with President Nixon’s wooing of
disaffected southerners through his “southern strategy” in the election of
1968, effectively drove the southern segregationists out of the Democratic
Party into the Republican Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
why, by the way, it’s disingenuous for present-day Republicans to point to the
pivotal role they used to play in obtaining rights for black citizens,
beginning with their founding in 1854 to the passage of civil right’s
legislation in the 1960s, as proof of their racial openness today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know good and well (or should know!)
that the Republican Party largely abandoned the fight for civil rights at about
the same time Nixon laid out the welcome mat for those opposed to civil rights
legislation to join the Republican Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, I don’t know if Richard Nixon was a racist, but he was certainly an
opportunist who took advantage of that opportunity to bring more voters over to
the Republican Party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Anyway, it’s because of the Republican Party’s post-1968 failure to actively
address the needs of the black community that, in 1984, I voted for Democrat
Walter Mondale, rather than Republican Ronald Reagan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not feel then (and do not feel today) that
President Reagan was concerned at all about the black community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt he was oblivious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, by 1988, abortion rights had become more of a key
focus in the presidential election and, so, became more of a deciding factor in my
presidential election choices (also, by 1988—eight years after my converson—my
understanding of what abortion is and why it is immoral had grown).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I have always felt conflicted,
having to choose between Republican presidential candidates who speak to my
religious faith but ignore me as a black man, and Democratic candidates who acknowledge
me as a black man but offend my Christian faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">In 2000, George W. Bush appealed to me because he not only spoke to my
Christian values, but he also spoke about “Compassionate Conservatism” and made
real efforts to reach out to the black and Hispanic communities (remember
that?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, with the
terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, “Compassionate Conservatism” began to
take a back seat to the “War On Terror.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nevertheless, I voted for Bush because he struck me as being sincere
about his desire to expand the Republican tent to include more people of color.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">However, as I</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">’ve</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> mentioned above, I became aware during the Bush years that the
Republican Party was merely using evangelical voters.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I couldn’t help but notice that, after all
those years since the rise of Jerry Falwell’s “Moral Majority,” abortion was still legal,
homosexual rights were ever expanding, and many Republicans privately were
“pro-choice,” supported homosexual rights, and were involved in their own
sexual scandals and such.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Then, as I already mentioned, there was
the whole lie about “weapons of mass destruction,” which was our excuse for
invading Iraq in the first place, creating all the turmoil that exists there to
this day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Then came the election of 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
African-American man, Barack Obama, was the Democratic candidate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit, I was drawn to Obama because of the
ethnic bond we share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a black man
like I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, as a Democrat, Obama was
also pro-abortion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That bothered
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Mr. Obama at that time said
he believed marriage should be for a man and woman, not for same-sex
couples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a resident of Illinois at
that time, I had known of Barack Obama since he was an Illinois state senator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also knew of his church and pastor, Dr.
Jeremiah Wright, long-time pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ—a very
well-known church in the black community in Chicago (at that time, I was
regularly watching their weekly TV broadcasts, and occasionally listening to their
weekly radio broadcast, too).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">On the other side was Sen. John McCain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt McCain was too old (my opinion is that, because of the great
physical and mental demands of the job, presidential candidates ideally should
be 45-60 years old—obviously that doesn’t apply this year!), and I was greatly turned
off by the fact that he abandoned his first wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCain was definitely not my choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost as soon as she started
talking, she turned me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The straw
that broke the camel</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">’</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">s back was when she dismissed Barack Obama as an elitist
because he had degrees from Columbia and Harvard Law School. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">It was then that I was through with her and
through with McCain.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">For black people,
whose recent forbears were often prevented from obtaining even a high school
education, it is a praiseworthy achievement to go to college and university and
obtain a degree.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">That Mr. Obama had
obtained degrees from prestigious schools like Columbia and Harvard was a
testimony to how far black people have come in this country.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">His education was and is a great mark in his
favor, but Palin felt it was a negative.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Her comments were ignorant, ill-informed, culturally and
racially-insensitive, petty, and smacked of </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">racism and envy (given that, after attending 5
different schools--a semester here, a semester there--she has only a bachelor
degree).</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">My opinion of Sarah Palin has
not changed since then (in fact, it has probably gone down).</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">In my opinion, the worst thing John McCain ever did as a politician was to bring Sarah Palin into the national spotlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her ignorance and racial insensitivity (and the fact that many
Republicans thought her gift of spewing ignorance was an asset) convinced me to
vote for Barack Obama in 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Republicans were already unresponsive to the needs of the black
community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the ascension of Palin
(and the Tea Party), now they were insulting the black community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my opinion, t</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">he Moral Majority—and the
Christian Right which was birthed out of that political movement—were probably
among the more foolish moves by American Evangelicalism in
the modern era.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">The desire to see moral
reform in the country was/is not wrong, but it was/is wrong to rely on the
instrument of politics to do what only the Spirit of God, working through the
word of God, can do.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">This was the error
of the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s & 60s.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Don’t misunderstand: I think the Civil Right
Movement was a good thing and accomplished much good for this country, but it
couldn’t change the human heart.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">We
created laws to make white folks treat blacks and other minorities equally but,
as we witness in the news daily, our nation still struggles with racism and inequality,
because hearts cannot be changed by laws.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">The laws simply forced racism to morph, take on different forms, and
became more subtle and shrewd.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">But white
racism still thrives.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Much of the Black
Church, buoyed by the political successes of the Civil Rights Movement, took up
political and social action as their prime mission, so we have the weak or
non-existent gospel witness we see today in too many churches in the black
community.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> And, p</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">owerless to change human
hearts, many evangelicals, since the days of the Moral Majority, have turned to
Republican politics to try to force a Christian agenda on the nation.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">After 40 years, it still hasn’t worked.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">And it’s not going to work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">So, how did I reconcile my voting for Barack Obama in 2008, in spite of his
support for abortion rights?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned to
biblical theology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, I
believe if we’re going to see abortions ended in this country, it won’t happen
by political and legal means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible
teaches me this change will only come as people are born again of the Spirit,
their minds renewed through the word of God, and they are brought to see the
value of every human life, from conception to the grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord can accomplish all this without the
benefit of overturning Roe v Wade, without packing the Supreme Court with
conservative justices, and with or without the Republican Party—all by His
Spirit working through His word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Second, the Bible teaches me that fetuses have souls, and if they die—whether
through miscarriage or induced abortion—their souls go to be with the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, babies born
into this world and allowed to grow up without the benefit of hearing the
gospel, without the nurture and witness of godly people in their life, if they
die they will go to hell eternally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone knows how up-in-arms most evangelicals are over abortion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abortion, in the opinion of many
evangelicals, is the greatest evil in our nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re quick to bring up the statistics of how
many black babies are killed by abortion each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, how many evangelicals cared about
Trayvon Martin being killed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or Michael
Brown?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or Tamir Rice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or Walter Scott?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the countless number of young blacks and
Hispanics who are gunned down every weekend in cities all across our
nation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those aborted black fetuses
evangelicals care so much about went to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, it’s very likely that most of those young people of color being
shot and killed every week went to hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Evangelicals care about black babies who were never born, but 12 or more
years after they’re born, most evangelicals couldn’t care less.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">So, I came to these conclusions: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">1) If true Christians—if the true church—did its job (see Matt. 5:13-16;
28:19-20), abortions would decrease, with or without pro-life politicians, with
or without conservative jurists, with or without the Republican Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[I do not mean to imply Christians should not
be concerned with the social views of their politicians and courts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do mean to suggest society cannot be
transformed by politicians and courts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The error is in thinking that if we can just get the certain people into
positions of political and legal authority everything will then be all right.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">2) Aborted fetuses are with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, they are doing all right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What concerns me most are the conditions of those already born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somebody needs to see about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, when I vote, I want to know which
politicians care most about the people who are already born, especially those
who are most needy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">3) I will not support a politician who claims he/she shares my faith but
doesn’t demonstrate that he/she cares about me as a black American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the grace of God, I grew up in a 2-parent
household, grew up in church, and was exposed to the Bible early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that doesn’t mean I don’t identify with
those black kids from broken homes, living in under-privileged and
under-resourced communities, that “law and order” folks like Trump want to put
in line and lock up in jail, black males that some police officers seem
all-too-willing to shoot and kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a
politician communicates to me that he/she doesn’t care about them, he/she
doesn’t care about me, either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">It was for these reasons I voted for pro-abortion Democrats Obama-Biden, and
voted against pro-life Republicans McCain-Palin, in 2008.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">In 2012, I did not vote for a Presidential candidate at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During his first term, President Obama had
announced that his thinking had “evolved” and he was now in support of same-sex
marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may or may not be the case,
but I felt he deceived voters back in 2008 when he said he did not support
same-sex marriage, and did it so that he could get in office and come out in
support of it later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of my
Christian beliefs, I strongly opposed that move and felt I could not support
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But neither did I want to vote for
Republican Mitt Romney, a follower of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints—a Mormon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Measured by the Bible,
the LDS church is not Christian at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>President Obama was at least a professing Christian (not a Muslim, as
the oft-repeated lie maintains).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, rather
than vote for a candidate I did not support, I did not vote at all in the
presidential race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was comfortable
with that decision because it didn’t matter to me who won, I felt either
candidate was equally capable, competent and qualified and would ably discharge
the duties of the office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">The situation this year is far different than in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compared to Barack Obama or Mitt Romney—or
any other Democrat or Republican who has run for the presidency in my lifetime—Donald
Trump is in no way, by any measure, capable, competent or qualified for the
office of President.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said earlier,
Trump gives every indication that he has Narcissistic Personality
Disorder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect he very likely is a
sociopath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any rate, Trump is a fraud
and a charlatan who is totally unfit by character and temperament to be
President of the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would
be foolhardy in the extreme to entrust power to this man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">Hillary Clinton, by contrast, is clearly qualified by education, experience
and temperament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I think she is the
best possible candidate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I think she has been completely
honest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do not think she is nearly as bad as
her detractors and haters claim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
never been convicted of any crimes, though her many detractors have tried diligently
for over 20 years or more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I accept the
recent report of the FBI director concerning Mrs. Clinton’s email scandal, and
have no reason to second-guess his report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’m not privy to the
emails the FBI reviewed, and neither is anyone else I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt;">So, with the goal of keeping Donald Trump out of the White House, the Lord
willing, in November I will be voting for Hillary Clinton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I don’t vote for 3<sup>rd</sup>-party
candidates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No 3<sup>rd</sup>-party
candidate has ever won the presidency of the United States, and I don’t want to
waste my vote.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m sorry this reply has been so lengthy, but I wanted to explain exactly
how I’ve come to land on my position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, thank you for asking the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Really, I don’t consider myself to have an allegiance to any party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither do I fit completely under a certain
political label. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not looking to nor
depending upon Republicans and conservatives (or Democrats and liberals) to do
what only the Spirit of God can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Notice,
I never mentioned government spending, the deficit, the Affordable Care Act
[AKA, “Obamacare”], Israel, global warming, oil, or any other host of issues
that I heard this week from the Republican National Convention. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those aren’t my chief concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have opinions about some of these things,
but what I’m mostly concerned about is Christians looking to a party and
politicians to do what only God can do.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, until the Republican Party is ready to
honestly face up to and deal with the racism, xenophobia, and hatred that is
rife in its own ranks, it is in no position to help the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evangelicals right now have an unholy
alliance with the Republican Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Republican Party is clearly NOT a Christian party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither is the Democratic Party (but at least
they don’t claim to be).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fear and
hatred I saw on TV this week from the Republican National Convention was very
disconcerting (demonic comes to mind).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, I have absolutely no qualms about voting against their chosen
candidate, Donald Trump, and voting for Democrat Hillary Clinton, instead.</span><span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-54514950464071573912016-02-04T10:12:00.000-06:002016-02-04T10:14:07.966-06:00God is not weak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkCKBYXJnQDiOgaOdl0s6VdPiAkB2viCnpgU9PDEk2zP66PptHArCSt1oKPXQZ3AzteQ1I3Yab9K_qFVDSl_AX5GCbxhdlGFLbVBH3jOJl-2DYhX-F7oMByt9hIyhpovBzylhpA/s1600/Salvation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkCKBYXJnQDiOgaOdl0s6VdPiAkB2viCnpgU9PDEk2zP66PptHArCSt1oKPXQZ3AzteQ1I3Yab9K_qFVDSl_AX5GCbxhdlGFLbVBH3jOJl-2DYhX-F7oMByt9hIyhpovBzylhpA/s320/Salvation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt;">The following was written in response to something I heard
on “Christian radio” this morning that really troubled me.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt;"> It</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt;"> is written for the benefit of
Christians.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt;">I hope it helps somebody.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p>********************</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Every human being who is saved—who is a
believer in Christ, regenerated/born again, made a new creation in Christ,
eternally saved from the holy wrath of a just God—is a miracle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely no one is saved because they chose
to be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sinner chooses to be
saved, because no sinner WANTS to be saved!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">None
is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All have turned aside; together they have
become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And no non-Christian can blame his/her
lostness on someone else, saying “I would be a Christian if it weren’t for (<u>fill-in-the-blank</u>).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mohandas Gandhi famously said, </span><span style="color: #131313; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">nd, supposedly—or so the story goes—Gandhi rejected Christianity
because of the behavior and attitude of Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, it was Christians who kept
Gandhi away from Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Modern Evangelicalism, in large part, is
responsible for this mischaracterization of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has created a God who is weak, who can
only save if given permission, and can only reach sinners if flawed, fallible
and sinful Christians don’t get in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Liberal, apostate “Christianity,” on the other hand, doesn’t believe
there is any need for salvation, having eliminated any concepts of God’s wrath,
Judgment or hell.)</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">But this idea of a God who unable to save
unless given permission—and, then, only if people don’t get in His way—is
totally wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are not a
Christian—if you are not a follower of Christ, if you are lost—it is because
you are a sinner, because your sins have separated you from God, and in your
heart you are in a state of rebellion against the Holy One. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Behold,
the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it
cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your
God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">” (Isaiah 59:1-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And people don’t come to Christ because, in
their lostness, they are blinded by the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">If
our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. </span><b><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In
their case the god of this world [i.e., the devil] has blinded the minds of the
unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of
Christ, who is the image of God</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My point: Stop lying on God, and stop lying
to people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop making God impotent and
making human “free” will omnipotent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Let</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">God</span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">be</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">true</span> though every one were a liar</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">” (Romans 3:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
words, stop listening to lost people (Gandhi and others), and start listening
to God (if lost people really knew so much and had so much insight, they
wouldn’t be lost!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Salvation is a miracle, only made possible by
the supernatural intervention of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Human are powerless to save themselves or others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore being raised in church won’t make anyone
a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being raised in a Christian
home will not guarantee that one will be a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking your kids out of public school and
putting them in Christian schools (or homeschooling them) won’t guarantee
they’ll grow up to be Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using
certain evangelistic techniques won’t save anyone (nor will failing to use the
right technique cause anyone to remain lost).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>None of us can raise the dead or give sight to the blind, and that’s
exactly the state of every unbeliever—spiritually dead and blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He must raise the spiritually dead to life, He must give sight to the spiritually
blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Salvation</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">
belongs to the Lord!</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">” (Jonah
2:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If people are to be saved, God
must save them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When we truly believe this—believe what the
Bible says about the lost—it will change how we pray, how we preach, how we
share the gospel, how we evangelize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
people are to be saved, GOD must do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, because God is truly omnipotent, everyone He intends to save WILL
be saved!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I heard one preacher say:
“If God goes out for you, He’s coming back with you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Christian, let’s pray for specific
people, that God will save them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, as
God gives opportunity, let’s share the gospel—the good news about Christ Jesus—knowing
that the gospel “</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">” (Romans 1:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel has power because GOD has power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-46537998705787608132014-07-05T12:49:00.000-05:002014-07-05T13:48:35.780-05:00Why I don’t get excited about the 4th of July<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmPJp7Byzcepz4czQTbvRhHQtx_UPLPMM84jOnwU4yzazFECSH6tN36ZQuiUah0aUBdkKPNIRVQNlHNfZXAG9qwtGkN8NbNqIMjZhNr1Zn-M2BVeUBTLYHdhyIirJmwO8N1uiyA/s1600/US-Flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmPJp7Byzcepz4czQTbvRhHQtx_UPLPMM84jOnwU4yzazFECSH6tN36ZQuiUah0aUBdkKPNIRVQNlHNfZXAG9qwtGkN8NbNqIMjZhNr1Zn-M2BVeUBTLYHdhyIirJmwO8N1uiyA/s1600/US-Flag.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To me, the United States of
America is the greatest country on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is my home, my native land, and I know nowhere else in the world
I would rather live—and I’ve visited other countries (Austria, Germany,
France, Spain, Italy, China).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, yesterday—the
4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of July—Independence Day—I had two recurring thoughts:</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
First, I thought of the
hypocrisy inherent in these words of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold
these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”—words written
and endorsed by men who held black people like me as slaves, as mere chattel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Historically, the United States has so often
practiced and endorsed various forms of injustice towards blacks, Native
Americans and a host of other people groups, as to make a mockery of these
noble words found in the Declaration of Independence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Secondly, I thought of how
sinfully proud we are as a nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Americans, generally, are full of a sense of our own self-importance as
a nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we don’t think we need
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is evident by how much and how
often we Americans simply ignore God’s word and do what we want to do, and legalize
what we want to legalize, with absolutely no regard for what God has said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a casual glance at Scripture tells me
our nation is headed for big trouble—trouble from God Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider:<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text">“Let anyone
who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"></span><span class="text">“Pride goes
before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"></span><span class="text">“Righteousness
exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"></span><span class="text">“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!” (Isaiah 5:20).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"></span><span class="text">“Do not be
deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap”
(Galatians 6:7).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
But, we don’t have any fear of
repercussions from our individual and national unrighteousness because we don’t
really believe God’s word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re clearly
told, “<span class="text">It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God</span>” (Hebrews 10:31), but somehow we imagine our nation is special
in the eyes of God and is, therefore, exempt from God’s wrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God shows no partiality (e.g., Acts 10:34;
Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 6:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, the United States of America is no more special to God than
other nation, nor are we exempt from His laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The unrighteousness that America practices and endorses will ultimately
be her downfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wrath of God is
coming, and we don’t see it, and we don’t care.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
That’s why I, generally, just
can’t get excited about the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All is not well in “the land of the free and
the home of the brave.”</div>
Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-17554363250184327582014-03-17T10:12:00.000-05:002014-03-17T17:51:34.873-05:00The best is yet to come<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rOZ_y77rcYtU88KiqigvmBGbSH9GQcJUjwaMJstAQ80ElepuRNGJjNQvUmwDqWdCNVw1dCOGUK578LzXNIL0rk4pLbJQrlmTX_rHaqUvgvd1AIvM1_kZepsy0sPPMGANFqD8rw/s1600/Scan_Pic0026Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rOZ_y77rcYtU88KiqigvmBGbSH9GQcJUjwaMJstAQ80ElepuRNGJjNQvUmwDqWdCNVw1dCOGUK578LzXNIL0rk4pLbJQrlmTX_rHaqUvgvd1AIvM1_kZepsy0sPPMGANFqD8rw/s1600/Scan_Pic0026Copy.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></div>
<em>Left to right: Me, Grandma, Aunt Willie, and my cousin, Gabriel (1970-2014), probably late summer 1971.</em><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It’s not over until God says it’s
over. Sometimes your last years can be your best years. For examples, I need
not look any further than my great-grandmother, Minnie Duncan Gray (1896-1986),
and her sister, Wylodine Duncan Alexander (1898-1998). The year I was born,
Grandma turned 67 years old, and Aunt Willie turned 65. In my opinion, their
greatest usefulness for Christ was in their senior years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">First of all, they knew Jesus,
having both professed faith in Christ on the same night—September 19, 1913—during a “revival” meeting at Oak Grove A.M.E. Church in Florence, Alabama. All
the time I knew them, they lived consistent Christian lives, and were the same
people at home as they were in church on Sunday. I believe it was because of
their faith that they were probably two of the wisest people—wise in terms of godly wisdom—that I’ve ever
known. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Interestingly, they both had the
spiritual gift of teaching—teaching the word of God. Aunt Willie taught the
Bible both in her home, with friends, and at church, for the adult Sunday
School class. Aunt Willie became involved in the start of a new church when she
was 74. In this new church, she organized and taught the adult Sunday School
class, organized and taught a Wednesday night Bible class, and organized and
directed the choir (for which she drafted me as the musician at age 9), as well
as served as church treasurer and one of the church trustees. When Aunt Willie
left our church to become a part of this new church, Grandma stepped up to
teach the adult Sunday School class at our church. Grandma taught this class
for 11 years, “retiring” when she was 87. Over the years, countless people told
me what a blessing Grandma and Aunt Willie were to them, both as Bible teachers
and godly examples. Even during the last 3 years of her very long life, paralyzed
and blind in the nursing home, Aunt Willie was a blessing to many as she
demonstrated patient and cheerful endurance in the midst of her obvious
physical suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Most significant to me is that
Aunt Willie and Grandma taught me the Bible. They taught me, not only by
precept, but by their faithful examples, to believe, honor and obey the Bible
as the very word of God. It’s no exaggeration to say that in my pre-adult years
I learned more about the Bible from Aunt Willie and Grandma than I ever did at
church, and my view of the Bible was shaped more by them than by the church or
its preachers. And, these women prayed for me (in fact, near the end of her
life, Aunt Willie told me she specifically prayed for me twice a day). I am
convinced that I am saved today in answer to their prayers. And by God’s
providence, it was through Aunt Willie, in 1980, that I received the gospel
message which the Holy Spirit used to bring me to saving faith in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I was led to reflect on all this
as I thought about all the Lord has done in and through me these past 33 years (He
has brought me such a long way), and as I thought about what He may yet have in
store for me and my family during this next chapter of life in Washington, D.C.
As far as effectiveness for Christ, I believe Grandma and Aunt Willie’s last
years were their best years. I pray that, in whatever time the Lord gives me,
these next years would be the best years in my service for Christ.</span></div>
Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-47606754648363146992014-02-28T11:51:00.000-06:002014-02-28T11:51:36.152-06:00“No turning back…”<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="239" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_KOBSu_A4LU" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span class="text">Years ago, we
used to sing this old chorus:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text">“I have
decided to follow Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="text">I have
decided to follow Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="text">I have
decided to follow Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="text">No turning back,
no turning back.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text">Another verse
was,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text">“The world
behind me, the cross before me…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text">Then, there
was this verse:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text">“Though none go with me, still I will follow…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text">I remember—and
this had to be at least 30 years ago—how these words so perfectly expressed my
desire and longing to follow Christ Jesus my Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not misunderstand: I wanted others to go
with me on this Christian journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have always loved people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And though I
tend to be an introvert, and enjoy “alone time,” I don’t enjoy being left alone
or lonely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I long deeply for others to
join me in following Christ, especially family members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, I determined many years ago
that if I had to go it alone, for the sake of Christ I was prepared to go alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still feel the same way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text">“No turning
back, no turning back.”</span></div>
Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-88301093661046258242013-07-05T17:00:00.001-05:002013-07-05T17:01:29.070-05:00It takes a husband and wife…<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeuUbMPXJdVq0WGxaandcIrfFqn1zrjWhfCxGaCQcRpWC8dCa2vqQGUfjRPbG3y1I6JSVI_FSH6mjuLTgujB-hxcU_-Az0wi2qpoUrHp2IqdM_ev7QVazI_9RDneUFpEJ53N1Sg/s1600/Pa+Bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeuUbMPXJdVq0WGxaandcIrfFqn1zrjWhfCxGaCQcRpWC8dCa2vqQGUfjRPbG3y1I6JSVI_FSH6mjuLTgujB-hxcU_-Az0wi2qpoUrHp2IqdM_ev7QVazI_9RDneUFpEJ53N1Sg/s200/Pa+Bill.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pa Bill, 1905-1989</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQtSiLp37UGCZFRJfzFxaBF6d8L3GDbVtD5VJiEmurh_v6Dfyv2bSb53_SeczCWfGxG06Hp1y58EISsj-8BGA4ABAIUyS9H0wdbBsnNYfMpd2dqZB_necbBsXS3b80eBeBfiM9g/s1600/Grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQtSiLp37UGCZFRJfzFxaBF6d8L3GDbVtD5VJiEmurh_v6Dfyv2bSb53_SeczCWfGxG06Hp1y58EISsj-8BGA4ABAIUyS9H0wdbBsnNYfMpd2dqZB_necbBsXS3b80eBeBfiM9g/s200/Grandma.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma, 1896-1986</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the greatest blessings of my childhood was to be
raised by a married couple (i.e., husband and wife), who loved each other, were
faithful to one another, and were there for each another until death.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My great-grandparents, William (Bill) and Minnie Duncan
Gray—“Pa Bill” and “Grandma”—raised me, and their continuing value in my life
is priceless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In their home, there was
no abuse of any kind, no infidelity, no alcoholism, no pornography, and no
habitual foul language. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the man of
the house, Pa Bill led and protected our family, and he was willingly followed
by Grandma, the strong woman who was his wife. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our home, the Bible was read daily, we
attended church services weekly, there was prayer, there was singing, there was
laughter, and the things of God were regularly discussed.<br />
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For quite some time now, happily married fathers and
mothers, and lived-out Christianity have been increasingly removed from the
lives of most American children as theological liberalism has spread, church
attendance has fallen, and divorce has become more commonplace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We Americans wonder why our society is falling apart and
the institution of marriage is up for grabs. I don’t wonder at all.</div>
Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-71952618830859062882013-01-18T13:02:00.001-06:002013-01-18T13:05:50.912-06:00“I believe in the Holy Spirit…”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOErUW2U5oM4XOYx0TAoqAE76kEMkEVQpNOb3ZAq9B67FVDlv03BsDyzww1Mova6xIIfjkNDY_vS-bjhmEX-XgK0i6gl-7PwGzPnEHQrijIyOfRT9Q1LUNc8Be0NKrxuzUepAXQ/s1600/Flame_from_a_Burning_Candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOErUW2U5oM4XOYx0TAoqAE76kEMkEVQpNOb3ZAq9B67FVDlv03BsDyzww1Mova6xIIfjkNDY_vS-bjhmEX-XgK0i6gl-7PwGzPnEHQrijIyOfRT9Q1LUNc8Be0NKrxuzUepAXQ/s320/Flame_from_a_Burning_Candle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
“I believe in the Holy
Spirit”—<span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
Third Person of the
Trinity,<span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
“Christ in you”
(Colossians 1:27),<span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
“The life of God in the
soul of man” (Henry Scougal),<span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
Our Helper (John 14:26),<span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
Our Empowerer and Enabler
(Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49),<span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
The Spirit of truth (John
14:17),<span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
Author of Scripture (2
Peter 1:21)<span style="font-style: normal;">,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
God.</div>
Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-79890470993181828002012-05-13T01:12:00.002-05:002012-05-17T00:57:53.422-05:00A Mother’s Day tribute to Grandma<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS90tkkGDf6xtJZiLzlRfnT8ZVMLhJydQfuveNeN7bGXjP68tldyy4_hsLU9OOBIWBIWRC2JTRqJV9DGzy3Ee0wxLVrFR5eCD20Qg9QYyg-lu69HDt-zxIhxUZt0lemeqix0DnNg/s1600/Grandma+&+Pa+Bill+6-28-1980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS90tkkGDf6xtJZiLzlRfnT8ZVMLhJydQfuveNeN7bGXjP68tldyy4_hsLU9OOBIWBIWRC2JTRqJV9DGzy3Ee0wxLVrFR5eCD20Qg9QYyg-lu69HDt-zxIhxUZt0lemeqix0DnNg/s320/Grandma+&+Pa+Bill+6-28-1980.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Grandma and Pa Bill - 6/28/1980</em></div>
<br />
I am grateful to God that the two
people who gave me life, my mother and father, are both alive and well, and are
a part of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However—as I think
most of you know—I never lived with my biological parents, who both were
teenagers at the time of my birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, I did not meet my father until 7 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As God
in His sovereign will would have it, I ended up being raised by my maternal
great-grandparents (specifically, my maternal grandfather’s mother and
step-father), William and Minnie Duncan Gray—“Pa Bill” and “Grandma,” with whom
I lived until their deaths in 1989 and 1986.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
On this Mother’s Day, I
specifically want to pay tribute to Grandma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For all intents and purposes, she was my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, Grandma did not give birth to me, but
she did raise me and care for me—all the way into adulthood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a mother, she made sure I was fed each
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was sick, it was Grandma who
nursed me back to health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether I
suffered skinned knees or hurt feelings, it was Grandma who soothed the pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many ways, Grandma was the ideal mother.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
There are many stories that come
to mind, many examples of how she nurtured me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I were to take the time to write them out in full, I probably could
come up with enough print to fill a book of several chapters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just thinking about some examples of her
tenderness brings tears to my eyes some 40-plus years after the fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remembering laughs we shared decades ago
still make me smile today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
exaggerate when I say that I don’t know of anyone who seemed to be such a
perfect balance of love, tenderness, calmness and self-discipline.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
To this day, I remain amazed at
Grandma’s personal discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
amount of housework she could accomplish in a day, while also maintaining her
business schedule as a hairdresser until she was 80 (she maintained a beauty
shop in the basement of our home), was simply amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never rushed, never stressed-out, yet always
on time, always finishing what she set out to accomplish.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
And Grandma was blessed with wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all honesty, I believe Grandma may have
been one of the wisest persons I’ve ever known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She seemed to always be able to correctly assess people and situations, always
know the right thing to do or say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
wasn’t a gossip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t a
flatterer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t proud—didn’t think
more highly of herself than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
wasn’t domineering; neither was she a push-over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandma was humble, down-to-earth,
plain-speaking, and wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, as I near
the end of my fifth decade of life, I know that part of her wisdom came from just
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, Grandma was almost 67
when I came to live with her and Pa Bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That means I was the blessed recipient of the wisdom of her senior
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, another source of Grandma’s
wisdom was the Bible.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
You see, Grandma was a real
Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that I mean she had been
born again, having professed personal faith in Christ as a teenager, in 1913
(September 19, 1913, on the “mourner’s bench” at Oak Grove A.M.E. Church
in Florence, Alabama, to be exact).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whether it happened then or later, it was evident to me that somewhere
along the road of life she had come to personally know the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not perfect, but she lived a
consistent Christian life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t
highly-educated (only completed 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> grade), but she was biblically
literate, reading a portion of her Bible every day (Scofield Reference Bible,
King James Version, of course).</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
A fond memory is that of seeing
Grandma sitting in her bedroom (the simple wooden chair in which she sat sits
beside my desk right now as I type), or in the living room of our house, reading
God’s word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her example would put most
of us church folks to shame because, without benefit of a reading plan or
accountability partner, Grandma would read through the entire Bible, from
Genesis through Revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t
feel the need to read the Bible in a year—she was in no hurry—she would just
start at Genesis and read a portion each day until she finished
Revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, she would go back to
Genesis and start all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that
method, I believe she managed to read through the entire Bible several times.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
I believe that it was,
ultimately, because of her faith in Christ that Grandma was the wonderful
mother that she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By her words and
example, she kept before me the reality of God the Father and Jesus Christ His
Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, she was my first Bible
teacher, as she would explain to me the truths of God’s word as I sat at her
knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that I am a Christian
today at least partly because of the spiritual seeds she planted in my life.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Grandma also demonstrated what a
wife’s godly submission to her husband should look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember ever hearing Grandma discuss
the subject of submission, but I watch how she and Pa Bill interacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many ways, he was dependent upon her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was smarter than he was (he only
completed the 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> grade), could read much better than he could, but
she never embarrassed him or talked down to him or made him feel inferior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, there were several small ways she
never called attention to (but that I observed) in which she used her abilities
to help Pa Bill take the lead in the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was not a “doormat” by any means, but she wasn’t a feminist,
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a strong woman who didn’t
feel the need to dominate a man in order to prove her worth as a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned from that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when, much later, I learned what the
Bible had to say about the husband and wife’s roles in the family, I realized
that Pa Bill and Grandma had been living that out in front of me all along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandma showed me what to look for in a wife.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It is amazing how, in hindsight, we can sometimes clearly
see the providential hand of God in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Looking back, I see that God so arranged that I be raised and nurtured
by Grandma and Pa Bill so that I could be saved, because He wanted me as His
own.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
So, on this Mother’s Day, I want
to pay tribute to the one who was mother to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Happy Mother’s Day,” Grandma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss
you, but look forward to seeing you again, one day, in the presence of our Lord
and Savior.</div>
</div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-66522106901201156182012-05-03T16:58:00.002-05:002012-05-03T20:57:58.377-05:00Some day<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="301" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2TaVT0DbqCI?rel=0" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />Beams of heaven, as I go
<br />
Through this wilderness below,
<br />
Guide my feet in peaceful ways,
<br />
Turn my midnights into days;
<br />
When in the darkness I would grope,
<br />
Faith always sees a star of hope,
<br />
And soon from all life’s grief and danger
<br />
I shall be free some day.
<br />
<br />Burdens now may crush me down,
<br />
Disappointments all around,
<br />
Troubles speak in mournful sigh,
<br />
Sorrow through a tear-stained eye;
<br />
There is a world where pleasure reigns,
<br />
No mourning soul shall roam its plains,
<br />
And to that land of peace and glory
<br />
I want to go some day.
<br />
<br />I do not know how long ’twill be,
<br />
Nor what the future holds for me,
<br />
But this I know, if Jesus leads me,
<br />
I shall get home some day.
<br />
<br />
—Rev. Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933)Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-76364805107116630262012-04-11T21:14:00.002-05:002012-04-11T21:37:26.465-05:00You have to take a stand<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVT_6hx0Vmh45la99G_i6UOPBYDHu4O0Kz8_mWd_AbeBTBOJG71ah3w78v7h6t6E47OAypaHj4QplLXL93Gbk_VyOC-K6ssq6elYcMp33__ZlafExi3p8d-kpZyBtbyieumBEMw/s1600/symbols_interlocking_gender.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 201px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730337609278188386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVT_6hx0Vmh45la99G_i6UOPBYDHu4O0Kz8_mWd_AbeBTBOJG71ah3w78v7h6t6E47OAypaHj4QplLXL93Gbk_VyOC-K6ssq6elYcMp33__ZlafExi3p8d-kpZyBtbyieumBEMw/s320/symbols_interlocking_gender.jpg" /></a><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">If Jesus is the eternal God (and He is—just as much God as the Father is God and the Holy Spirit is God), and if the 66 books which comprise the Bible are the written word of God (and Scripture is, indeed, the authoritative written word of God), then what the Bible says, Jesus also says. It is a critical error to place the New Testament quotes of Jesus (the words in “red”) in opposition to the rest of Scripture. It’s <em>all</em> His word!<br /><br />I’m not surprised or overly concerned when non-Christians make the error of separating Christ from, or setting Him in opposition to, His written word. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…and they follow me” (John 10:27). Not being among Christ’s sheep, of course non-Christians don’t recognize or hear Christ’s voice, let alone feel any compulsion to obey. And they certainly have no problem disobeying! That’s to be expected. But, when professed Christians buy into the fallacious arguments of pagans and ride loose with Scripture, something’s seriously wrong with these professed Christians!<br /><br />So, Scripture is the word of God (it is also the word of Christ, because Christ is God; and it is the word of the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit is God). Because Scripture is God’s word (and, notice, I didn’t say it “contains” God’s word, for the entirety of Scripture is God’s word), it carries God’s authority. I can’t say it any better than this quote:<br /><br /><blockquote>“The first thing to realize is that <em>God’s Word is an extension of God Himself</em>. To hear His words that comprise the whole Bible is to hear Him. To obey His words is to obey Him. To ignore His words is to ignore Him. God ‘invests’ Himself in His words, as Timothy Ward puts it. That is, God so identifies Himself with His words that our response to His words is our response to Him.”<br /><br />—Jonathan Leeman, <em>Reverberation: How God’s word brings light, freedom, and action to His people</em> (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2011), p. 48.<br /></blockquote><br />Or, again, as Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). If you or I don’t (or won’t) follow or obey Jesus—which is synonymous with following or obeying His written word, which is Scripture—then we are not one of His sheep. This is what Jesus said! If Jesus is Lord (and He most certainly is!), then His sheep/followers—i.e., Christians—are <em>obligated</em> to follow Him. That means all our opinions, ideas, feelings, sentiments, desires, thoughts, urges, likes, wants and “felt needs” must bow in deference to the authority of the word of Christ, which is Scripture—<em>all</em> of Scripture. When it comes to God, there are no such things as “rights”. Jesus is Lord! And His people submit to His word.<br /><br />So, what’s my point? It is this: Some profess faith in Christ who, nevertheless, are all-too-willing to throw the word of Christ (Scripture) under the bus when it comes to the issue of homosexuality. But we cannot do that—and I don’t believe we will do that—if Jesus Christ is truly our Lord. There’s more to being a Christian than just saying you’re a Christian. Those who have placed themselves under the Lordship of Christ have also submitted their views and ideas (and sexuality) to the authority of His written word.<br /><br />Scripture, being the word of God, bears God’s authority. The heart of the issue is that those who want to justify sin (whether homosexuality or any other sin) are loathe to submit to the authority of Scripture. That’s why those who are busy trying to force acceptance of homosexuality and legalize so-called “gay marriage” are also busy working to undermine the authority of Scripture. Here’s an example I came across just this week:<br /><br /><blockquote>“Clearly, there are a few Bible verses that involve same-sex acts…but given the modern advent of recognizing the existence of sexual orientation, we must accept the reality that the writers of those verses were in no way trying to, let alone capable of, acknowledging, understanding and addressing homosexual orientation.”<br /></blockquote><br />Notice the condescending attitude of this writer (who happens to be a seminary-educated, ordained minister within an old-line Protestant denomination). Does not God know all things? And even if the men who wrote Scripture in themselves “were in no way trying to, let alone capable of, acknowledging, understanding and addressing homosexual orientation,” would not the God who inspired their writings, who guided their minds in the act of writing (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21), have full knowledge of all things?<br /><br />Those who seek to undermine the authority of Scripture love to say that Jesus never addressed the issue of homosexuality, therefore He was/is not concerned about the issue at all. In saying this (and in believing it), they reveal their ignorance of both the divine nature of Scripture and the divine nature of Christ. For if homosexuality is addressed in Scripture at all, then Jesus <em>has</em> addressed the issue, because (as I said earlier) <em>all</em> of Scripture is His word.<br /><br />It is also said that the Bible really does not condemn homosexuality at all, that we’re simply misunderstanding the context of certain passages. But, my friend, no matter what translation in which you read Genesis 19:4-13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Judges 19:22-23; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; and 1 Timothy 1:9-10, you cannot interpret these passages to be anything but condemnatory of homosexual acts.<br /><br />Besides all this, while one can find passages which speak positively and approvingly of heterosexuality and heterosexual marriage, you will find absolutely <em>no</em> passages in Scripture which speak positively or approvingly of homosexuality or homosexual relations, and absolutely nothing supportive of homosexual marriage. Nothing. At all. Why? Because God in no way approves of sin, including homosexuality.<br /><br />When Satan makes his appearance in Scripture, we find him undermining the word of God (Genesis 3:1ff). Today, when we hear and read of philosophies and arguments which ultimately work to undermine the authority of Scripture as the word of God, the same devil is at work. I don’t want to mince words: This push we see for the acceptance and approval of homosexuality, for the securing of special legal rights for those engaged in a homosexual lifestyle, and for the recognition and legalization of “gay marriage”—both in the wider society and within some churches—is inspired by Satan. Those involved in pressing forward this evil agenda are doing the devil’s work. As I said at the beginning, I’m not surprised at all when non-Christians involve themselves in sinful causes like this. But, when those who profess to be Christian take up the devil’s cause, we should be highly concerned about the true spiritual state of our churches.<br /><br />So, is what I’ve been writing “homophobia”? Is calling out homosexuality as sin a form of “hate speech”? Not at all! I don’t fear homosexuals (which is what “homophobia” means) and, to the best of my knowledge, I don’t hate anyone, let alone hate people solely because of their sexuality. In fact, calling Christians “homophobes”, “bigots” and “haters” because they are true to their faith is the height of intolerance (ironically, those who talk the most about “tolerance” are usually the most intolerant of people). No, I’ve written this because of love—love for God, love for His word, and love for people, especially those who comprise “the household of faith.” In fact, I’ll tell you what a lack of love looks like: to keep silent about sin, knowing the coming wrath of God, because you fear the disapproval of mere humans. Silence about sin borders on hatred.<br /><br />This post is primarily directed at professing Christians who continue to remain silent regarding the sin of homosexuality. Some professing evangelical Christians have even gone so far as to lend their approval to homosexuality and “gay marriage”. When, in our craving for worldly acceptance, we cast aside God’s written word by either outright ignoring it or twisting its meaning in such a way as to make it appear God approves sin, in what sense are we really “Christian”? God has made it clear that we are not to add to or take away from His written word (see Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6 and Revelation 22:18-19). Our attitude towards God’s written word is a test of the genuineness of our Christianity. To quote Jonathan Leeman again: “<em>God’s Word is an extension of God Himself.</em> To hear His words that comprise the whole Bible is to hear Him. To obey His words is to obey Him. To ignore His words is to ignore Him.”<br /><br />Christian, you must not remain silent about sin. You must not be afraid to speak up, when given the opportunity. This is certainly not about “reclaiming America” or winning any so-called “culture war.” Who cares about saving American culture! You and I cannot remain silent about sin because GOD is not silent about sin. Stand on His truth, even if you must stand alone. Stand with love, but stand resolutely. Stand because God’s word is right, and everything that stands in contradiction to His word is wrong.<br /><br />But, for heaven’s sake, let’s be even more vigilant about ridding our <em>own</em> lives of sin. We <em>must</em> practice what we preach! May God help us to do so.</div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-46341935968864045362012-03-31T13:51:00.003-05:002012-03-31T14:33:03.995-05:00How will you vote?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-u7Lri6lJcIjGbCW9QO8d7V6U9nrTW_Nz4Zsi0w2s-qSzyDRhI4LQl-kcf8DGLSjdh8N9DFjKEoPLncfBvDKylKqSDjtBolVpWSHORnPCWlxxlx46yk5rJD0BvKKP5F1IMiuxA/s1600/polling-427cn0820101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 191px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726146436199167282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-u7Lri6lJcIjGbCW9QO8d7V6U9nrTW_Nz4Zsi0w2s-qSzyDRhI4LQl-kcf8DGLSjdh8N9DFjKEoPLncfBvDKylKqSDjtBolVpWSHORnPCWlxxlx46yk5rJD0BvKKP5F1IMiuxA/s320/polling-427cn0820101.jpg" /></a><div align="justify">As a product of the historic Black Church, currently active as a member of a predominantly-white, mainstream, evangelical church, who through musical associations has been exposed to mainline Christianity, and who through work in secular educational establishments has been exposed to political and social liberalism, it has been my privilege to gain a broad perspective on how different kinds of people tend to think—theologically, politically and otherwise.<br /><br />When it comes to current Presidential politics and the Christian, I’ve observed that there are Christians who are genuinely puzzled that any real Christian would ever vote for President Obama, while there are other Christians who similarly wonder how in the world a real Christian could ever vote for his Republican rival. As difficult as it may be for some to imagine, there <em>are</em> genuine Christians who voted for Obama, <em>and</em> there are genuine Christians who voted (and/or will vote) for his opponent. A truly biblical and Christian stance does not fall neatly along political party lines. There are sinful practices promoted and/or tolerated by politicians in every political party.<br /><br />So what does this mean for the Christian as we look ahead to November’s Presidential election? Practically speaking, it means that who Christians decide to vote for will probably boil down to which sins we can best tolerate. In other words, there are no perfect candidates, and there is no “Christian” choice. In my opinion, Christians need to pray, seek God’s guidance in Scripture, and then vote one’s conscience, trusting God who is sovereign over all.</div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-90907171599963609362012-02-28T08:54:00.002-06:002012-02-28T09:09:16.831-06:00What a politician should NOT say<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tTAxTXtAWmUM_A77AWURoDfEqQKiw5hWH8txJsCQNfnmBlX7dAdzKp3uDfnKSSNJZfOTqoX6Y2CfzLzmR2lj29e0rvv7Moo-2J1vccF7nnfiery5e4ZFuyuoqHePLqqnSQcHgA/s1600/santorum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 180px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714203683654396514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tTAxTXtAWmUM_A77AWURoDfEqQKiw5hWH8txJsCQNfnmBlX7dAdzKp3uDfnKSSNJZfOTqoX6Y2CfzLzmR2lj29e0rvv7Moo-2J1vccF7nnfiery5e4ZFuyuoqHePLqqnSQcHgA/s320/santorum.jpg" /></a><br />This is how a politician guarantees I will NOT vote for him:<br /><br />Last Saturday, Rick Santorum said, “President Obama once said he wants everybody in America to go to college. What a snob. There are good, decent men and women who go out and work hard every day and put their skills to test that aren’t taught by some liberal college professor that [tries] to indoctrinate them.”<br /><br />Pardon me, Mr. Santorum, but I was raised by a “good, decent” couple, who worked hard all their lives, and who never went to college or high school. Yet, unlike you, they didn’t consider it snobbery to desire that others attain a college education. On the contrary, they wanted me to have what they never had the opportunity to get, and they encouraged and expected me to go to college and get my degree. I’m all but certain minorities and college-educated whites will not find your statement compelling. So, why would you—someone with 3 earned college degrees—make a statement like this? Well, it seems obvious to me that your statement is only meant to play upon the racially-inspired fear, hatred and jealousy of non-college-educated whites towards college-educated black men. That’s personally insulting to me. And THAT’S why, in a nutshell, Mr. Santorum, you will NEVER get my vote!</div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-29562970415897943712012-02-20T23:18:00.001-06:002012-02-20T23:30:11.943-06:00Psalm 32<div align="justify">1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,<br />whose sin is covered.<br />2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,<br />and in whose spirit there is no deceit.<br /><br />3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away<br />through my groaning all day long.<br />4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;<br />my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah<br /><br />5 I acknowledged my sin to you,<br />and I did not cover my iniquity;<br />I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”<br />and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah<br /><br />6 Therefore let everyone who is godly<br />offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;<br />surely in the rush of great waters,<br />they shall not reach him.<br />7 You are a hiding place for me;<br />you preserve me from trouble;<br />you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah<br /><br />8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;<br />I will counsel you with my eye upon you.<br />9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,<br />which must be curbed with bit and bridle,<br />or it will not stay near you.<br /><br />10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,<br />but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.<br />11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,<br />and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!<br /><br />Yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to preach from Psalm 32 to the dear people of New Life Fellowship Church in Vernon Hills, IL, where Rev. Louis Love is pastor. You can listen to the message here:<br /><br /><embed height="45" type="audio/x-ms-wma" align="absmiddle" pluginspage="timewarp.wma" width="400" src=" https://sites.google.com/site/wyethsaudio/files/Psalm%2032%20-%20The%20Blessedness%20of%20Forgiveness%20-%202.19.2012.WMA?attredirects=0&d=1 " loop="false" autostart="false" controls="console"></embed></div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-64706190182111005062012-01-15T23:41:00.002-06:002012-01-16T00:09:42.351-06:00On this King Holiday, what I’m thankful for<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjvfNOjVpknKVFcvoRL46VouJxhF1GFjOTcY9AbVP17XD-8NCvnGblW1UnOq6pNCoUOPWeAfHnej61WcJQ0IyXCTLLhUwGJTidmZTb0mJp2DOCf4VUZa5HGFZjVGO9p5tHq7GpQ/s1600/MLK+march-in-Detroit-1963.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698108021170594354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjvfNOjVpknKVFcvoRL46VouJxhF1GFjOTcY9AbVP17XD-8NCvnGblW1UnOq6pNCoUOPWeAfHnej61WcJQ0IyXCTLLhUwGJTidmZTb0mJp2DOCf4VUZa5HGFZjVGO9p5tHq7GpQ/s320/MLK+march-in-Detroit-1963.jpg" /></a><div align="justify">As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in the United States, a personal incident from many years ago comes to mind.<br /><br />I no longer remember when this happened—it was probably back when I was in high school or junior high. But, one day, having seen films in school, and documentaries and movies on television, about the Civil Rights movement and the white racism that at one time was so pervasive in the American South—and knowing that my great-grandma (born in 1896) grew up in the “Heart of Dixie”—the state of Alabama—I asked her if she ever saw the Ku Klux Klan in person.<br /><br />“No.”<br /><br />“You never saw them marching or anything like that?”<br /><br />“No, I never saw that.”<br /><br />That puzzled me, because I got the impression, from the documentaries and movies I saw, that the Ku Klux Klan was everywhere in the South.<br /><br />“Well,” I asked, “did you have any trouble with white people down South?”<br /><br />“We didn’t really have any trouble with the white folks,” said Grandma.<br /><br />Now I was thoroughly confused. I had been taught about Jim Crow and lynchings and the black struggle for Civil rights, and here was Grandma—who grew up in Alabama—telling me she didn’t have any trouble with white folks down there.<br /><br />“Well, how did you not have any trouble with whites?”<br /><br />Grandma said, “Because we stayed in our place, and the white folks stayed in their place. So, we didn’t have any trouble.”<br /><br />I don’t know if you’ve ever considered what it means to have a “place” you must stay in. It means all your dreams, hopes, goals and ambitions have all been circumscribed by society. It doesn’t matter your intelligence, gifts or potential. You can only be what others say you can be. You can go thus far, but no further. And the implied message was, “Stay in your place, or else!” That was what life was like for black people in the rural South when Grandma was growing up.<br /><br />For Grandma, staying in her “place” meant that she could only go as far as the 8th grade in school. Staying in her “place” meant that she spent a lifetime doing menial labor, first on her father’s small farm, planting and hoeing and picking cotton and other crops. Then, after the family migrated north to Illinois, working as a maid, then as a short-order cook and, finally, as a self-employed hairdresser for 37 years, working out of the basement of her home, until she was 80 years old.<br /><br />Imagine the potential damage to one’s spirit knowing “people like you” must “stay in your place.” Regardless of your talents, regardless of your abilities, because you are born “not white” you cannot aspire for anything higher or better in life than what society says you must be. Imagine the feelings of inferiority, resentment and bitterness that could develop.<br /><br />Yet, I never detected a note of resentment or bitterness in Grandma. In fact, she was one of the most unresentful and contented individuals I’ve known. What was her secret? I never discussed it with her, but I think I know what her answer would’ve been: as a teenager, Grandma came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. I believe it was Jesus who gave her contentment in spite of the limits imposed on her by society. I can hear her now, saying those words she often quoted: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11 KJV).<br /><br />On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I’m thankful for two things: I’m thankful that God raised up a Martin Luther King, Jr. to lead a Civil Rights Movement that broke down societal barriers that kept black people like me in “our place.” Because of Dr. King, and countless others, doors were open to me that Grandma never dreamed of. But, I’m also thankful to God for the example of my great-grandma, and others of her generation who, by the grace of God, not only survived life in a racist society, but came through it without hatred or bitterness, because of their faith in Jesus Christ.</div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-31195554082839077742012-01-11T23:16:00.004-06:002012-01-11T23:30:37.208-06:00Beware<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUulKFIuiVDItJimxACPNSK4Rid9ynr4B-ZigM-a47x6LwUpV9N7aAVCCuy3wW_iZyyp4dgyhqMZ0xXA2tRI9gZI7i7LQfQk7j5-aLN7VZjj7hamaoO2Juc0YXITDrLkzrskoMw/s1600/Tim+Tebow+Tebowing+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696611720891867426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUulKFIuiVDItJimxACPNSK4Rid9ynr4B-ZigM-a47x6LwUpV9N7aAVCCuy3wW_iZyyp4dgyhqMZ0xXA2tRI9gZI7i7LQfQk7j5-aLN7VZjj7hamaoO2Juc0YXITDrLkzrskoMw/s320/Tim+Tebow+Tebowing+4.jpg" /></a><div><div align="justify"> This would be my advice to Tim Tebow: Pay no mind to your friends or your detractors; listen to Jesus.<br /><br />Jesus said,<br /><br /><blockquote>“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1, 5-6)</blockquote><br />Now, before all of Tim Tebow’s fans rise up in his defense, I’m not insinuating that Tim Tebow is kneeling and bowing on the sidelines in order to be seen by others. I have no idea what his motivation is (and don’t want to know, actually). However, I <em>can</em> read what Jesus said. Jesus said, “Beware”, so we should heed the Lord’s warning and carefully examine our motives because, “The heart is deceitful above all things...” (Jeremiah 17:9).<br /><br />Something else to consider: Tim Tebow’s act of kneeling on the sidelines after he makes touchdowns, to some degree, has been a subject of controversy (and yes, I realize most, if not all, of the controversy has been stirred up by the media). The apostle Paul wrote, “‘All things are lawful’ [quoting what, perhaps, some in the Corinthian church were saying], but not all things are helpful” (1 Cor. 10:23). In light of all the tongue-wagging in the media, I can’t help but wonder if Tebow’s public acts of prayer might be unhelpful.<br /><br />Does it matter? Well, Paul goes on to write, “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor. 10:32-33). So, as believers, we should be concerned to not unnecessarily give offense and, as best we can, try to please everyone, with the goal of seeking their salvation. I don’t think this situation is as much about a Christian being criticized for his faith as it is about the need for Christians to set aside their “rights” and put others before themselves. Since prayer is directed to God, it is not necessary that others see and hear us pray. And since prayer doesn’t require kneeling, it is not necessary to kneel. So, if people are bothered by a quarterback kneeling in prayer on the sidelines after he makes a touchdown, what harm is there—how is his praying hindered—if he just takes his seat on the bench with his teammates and prays from there?<br /><br />Please understand I have nothing against Tim Tebow. In fact, I’m not a sports fan at all (sorry), and I watch very few sporting events (my wife is the sports fan in our household) so, before I started writing this, I hardly knew what Tim Tebow looked like. From what I hear, he is a fine, upstanding, Christian young man. I have no reason at all to question his faith, sincerity or Christian devotion. My questions are mostly about Tim Tebow’s Christian fans. Why are they so quick to defend his public kneeling in prayer, when Jesus said “go into your room and shut the door”? Remember, we’re not talking about a gathering for Christian worship; we’re talking about a football game! Is it really necessary to kneel at <em>that</em> time and place? Can’t Tim Tebow (or any other player who wants to pray) pray just as well sitting on the bench?<br /><br />More importantly, are the Lord Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 6 and the Apostle Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 10, optional?<br /><br />Maybe we should all listen more carefully to Jesus. He said, “Beware”.</div></div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-27079093903639132912012-01-09T21:52:00.004-06:002012-01-09T22:24:12.652-06:00God is there<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQQ95jkVk_3kNrYBqsEcphtwrp4tjX8w54TkMrLWYRr-B3uCm5ES7wVUg4E-dW4MwQwToKTh5kiWMSBuzfwggXp9dCubxd5_Jp6JRjNb1WRprjnNZfDXwZgjbywqsyNFP5Kco2w/s1600/volcano_japan_06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 207px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695854211210858386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQQ95jkVk_3kNrYBqsEcphtwrp4tjX8w54TkMrLWYRr-B3uCm5ES7wVUg4E-dW4MwQwToKTh5kiWMSBuzfwggXp9dCubxd5_Jp6JRjNb1WRprjnNZfDXwZgjbywqsyNFP5Kco2w/s320/volcano_japan_06.jpg" /></a><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUl-hHP6jmLoSvGzbAgOzZxTgRPoxkQdUMqmYxptvFLjfM8NM6YHaxTQ3u8HXs3-fVZJ0mz_eTXV60bzNVwj60JkJ-xvgRH_mvJDyA1JphtZz26a-OTbp_J1TzkoxyK-R2HKOGQ/s1600/volcano_japan_06.jpg"></a>Heaven is heaven because God is there, and hell is hell because God is there.<br /><br />Have you ever thought about that? There is simply nowhere that an omnipresent God cannot be. If there was someplace where God was not, then God would not be omnipresent. It is a sobering thing to consider. The same Holy One who, for the righteous, is the joy of heaven is also the torment of hell for the unrighteous: “He will be tormented in the presence...of the Lamb” (Revelation 14:10).<br /><br />“The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: ‘Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?’” (Isaiah 33:14).<br /><br />“For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).<br /><br />“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7).<br /><br />The reality is there is nowhere to go! That truth alone should motivate us who trust in Christ to do all we can to warn sinners of the wrath to come.</div><br /></div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-83323837331368295952011-09-24T13:33:00.003-05:002011-09-24T16:48:57.728-05:00What I have been up to<div align="justify">Hello! I’m back…for a moment. So, what have I been up to? Making music. The school year began a little over a month ago, and so I’m back at work. I work part-time at the local community college as an adjunct faculty member, serving as the accompanist and rehearsal assistant for the choral program. A surprise this semester is that I was asked (two days before classes began!) to teach a class in sight-singing and ear training. That’s been going well. This past summer, I picked up a weekly gig accompanying a chorus at a nearby retirement community. The dear ladies and gentlemen who sing in the chorus appreciated my assistance so much, they changed their rehearsal night so that I could continue once the school year started and my rehearsal obligations at the community college resumed. Finally, I serve my church as a worship pianist, worship leader, organist and choir accompanist. Probably, the most stimulating thing I do musically is play the organ at church. My primary instrument is piano, but organ has always been my love—a hobby of sorts. We don’t use the organ every week at our church, and I don’t get as much practice as I need or would like, but it’s always fun when I get a chance to play it. Here’s a video clip of me playing the well-known Toccata from Organ Symphony #5 by Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) as the postlude after worship service last Sunday morning.<br /><br /><iframe height="250" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/snPsXzeG-00" frameborder="0" width="400" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-18823117350585410172011-07-17T21:50:00.005-05:002011-07-18T10:13:46.215-05:00Is it mid-July already?<div align="justify">It’s hard to believe that 2011 is halfway done already. Right now I’m enduring a hot, humid July evening at home—hot and humid not only because the heat index was around 100 degrees today, but because our air conditioning system decided to quit working this afternoon. I’ll be calling the repairman first thing in the morning.<br /><br />It has been a while since I’ve blogged, because it’s been a while since I’ve felt like writing. If you think of it, pray for me and my family as we, like a multitude of others, go through financial difficulties (too much month at the end of the money). In spite of the stresses, I’m grateful for every blessing God sends our way, and I WILL rejoice in Him. Although financial situations change, God never changes, and He remains good toward us.<br /><br />One of God’s blessings to my family this summer was the Annual Bible Conference sponsored by <a href="http://www.newlifevh.org/"><strong>New Life Fellowship Church of Vernon Hills, IL</strong></a>. This year’s conference—“HIM We Proclaim: The Preeminence of Christ in the Book of Colossians”—was a real blessing to all who attended. The speakers, Pastors Thabiti Anyabwile, Anthony Carter and Reddit Andrews, were powerfully used by God as they delivered His word. Honestly, I think some of these messages quite possibly were among the best examples of biblical preaching that I have ever heard anywhere, by anyone—living or deceased—live or recorded. After hearing the preeminence of Christ expounded from Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, Christ seems more awesome and wonderful to me than ever before. I don’t think I’m alone in feeling that way.<br /><br />Although it’s not the same as being there in person, you can hear the recordings of these messages online <a href="http://www.newlifevh.org/Conferences.html"><strong>HERE</strong></a> at the website of New Life Fellowship Church. I encourage you to listen. My suggestion would be to block out an hour or so of undistracted time, have a Bible ready, and prayerfully listen to the word of God.<br /><br />It was also my privilege to once again lead singing for the Conference. My hunch is that there are very few Reformed Bible Conferences found anywhere on this planet where you can have the opportunity to sing good, ol’, down-home songs from the African-American Christian tradition like this:<br /><br /><iframe height="250" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4ud7yCZT3Us?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="400" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Or hear soloists like this:</div><div align="justify"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxz7SUUrze9gOlSJtAk-U7HV95O404AlR_0rIyTvz41dAyI3xYj0N-CACyyHM-2fIICm9faMcmrYhs' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />You will only find this kind of music (along with the powerful and rock-solid proclamation of the word of God) at the New Life Bible Conference. I hope this whets your appetite to consider attending <a href="http://www.newlifevh.org/ConferencesTemplate.html"><strong>NEXT YEAR</strong></a>.<br /><br />Oh, and by the way: Registration is FREE.<br /><br />The Lord willing, I’ll see you next June, here in Illinois.</div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-14087378962722291102011-06-14T15:00:00.003-05:002011-06-14T15:12:10.395-05:00New Life Bible Conference 2011<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="justify">An affordable (FREE!) & convenient opportunity to receive solid Bible teaching from nationally-known, Reformed Christian pastor-teachers is coming next week to Lake County, Illinois. For the past several years, it’s been my privilege to lead worship & song at <a href="http://www.newlifevh.org/ConferencesTemplate.html"><strong>New Life Fellowship Church’s Annual Bible Conference</strong></a>, held each June in Vernon Hills, IL. This year, the dates are <strong>June 23-25</strong>, and the speakers are <a href="http://www.soaringoaks.org/"><strong>Reddit Andrews</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.fbc.org.ky/"><strong>Thabiti Anyabwile</strong></a> and <a href="http://epointchurch.org/"><strong>Anthony Carter</strong></a>.</div><div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHm88U9hK8mjKPzxhr_n_UTNrCOoVBWXTWO7R37KRCoq5t6jEkKPVZy1MdgW1Hca0fKPv2fjW3ybKx3mnjg0QGaNYIEpBc_kUJCXZf24mA9PqQ5d7Oyo4gLW7Ag68P0YHphb7zg/s1600/Thabiti+Anyabwile.jpg"></a> </div><div align="justify"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvALTzEOq1ihaJ0tLZHVe1nwCL2FI6tVg4Bp1yhLU_yfspGqJpsG8Z_jaiqgoAFYI0BROgvkyDK3rnt83IYUckB3scpOJ6y1N6S0YK1Er2fSVQNXfBObaiigt1sNqhDTTcG8iIRQ/s1600/Reddit+Andrews.jpg"><img style="width: 123px; height: 200px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618167066412939714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvALTzEOq1ihaJ0tLZHVe1nwCL2FI6tVg4Bp1yhLU_yfspGqJpsG8Z_jaiqgoAFYI0BROgvkyDK3rnt83IYUckB3scpOJ6y1N6S0YK1Er2fSVQNXfBObaiigt1sNqhDTTcG8iIRQ/s200/Reddit+Andrews.jpg" /></a></div><div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHm88U9hK8mjKPzxhr_n_UTNrCOoVBWXTWO7R37KRCoq5t6jEkKPVZy1MdgW1Hca0fKPv2fjW3ybKx3mnjg0QGaNYIEpBc_kUJCXZf24mA9PqQ5d7Oyo4gLW7Ag68P0YHphb7zg/s1600/Thabiti+Anyabwile.jpg"><img style="width: 146px; height: 198px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618167072928745890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHm88U9hK8mjKPzxhr_n_UTNrCOoVBWXTWO7R37KRCoq5t6jEkKPVZy1MdgW1Hca0fKPv2fjW3ybKx3mnjg0QGaNYIEpBc_kUJCXZf24mA9PqQ5d7Oyo4gLW7Ag68P0YHphb7zg/s200/Thabiti+Anyabwile.jpg" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHm88U9hK8mjKPzxhr_n_UTNrCOoVBWXTWO7R37KRCoq5t6jEkKPVZy1MdgW1Hca0fKPv2fjW3ybKx3mnjg0QGaNYIEpBc_kUJCXZf24mA9PqQ5d7Oyo4gLW7Ag68P0YHphb7zg/s1600/Thabiti+Anyabwile.jpg"></a></div><div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjDvCYOJVnbGfM3tQHo3wrLOitRZZVzqDsPN7U7m-1O-X89p4dHHwzsWqZnj8C9Qlc2c_rFF0gGIV39wE_I4Jc6Y4z-rRzeW73Q1IC4fR6Gk0Iyh4Dov88zFAH9tim9xHmVigSA/s1600/Anthony+J+Carter.jpg"><img style="width: 134px; height: 200px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618167061345242338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjDvCYOJVnbGfM3tQHo3wrLOitRZZVzqDsPN7U7m-1O-X89p4dHHwzsWqZnj8C9Qlc2c_rFF0gGIV39wE_I4Jc6Y4z-rRzeW73Q1IC4fR6Gk0Iyh4Dov88zFAH9tim9xHmVigSA/s200/Anthony+J+Carter.jpg" /></a></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">This year’s theme is <strong><em><strong>“HIM We Proclaim: The Preeminence of Christ in the Book of Colossians”</strong></em></strong>, and blessing us during these 3 days with teaching from the word of God will be Pastors Reddit Andrews, Thabiti Anyabwile and Anthony Carter. Here is the schedule:<br /><br /><strong>Thursday, June 23, 2011 – 7:00-9:30 pm</strong><br /><strong>Anthony Carter</strong>: Colossians 1:1-23, “The Preeminence of Jesus Christ Over All Things”<br /><strong>Thabiti Anyabwile</strong>: Colossians 1:24-2:5, “The Preeminence of Jesus Christ in Pastoral Ministry”<br /><br /><strong>Friday, June 24, 2011 – 7:00-9:30 pm</strong><br /><strong>Reddit Andrews</strong>: Colossians 2:6-23, “The Preeminence of Jesus Christ in Justification”<br /><strong>Thabiti Anyabwile</strong>: 3:1-17, “The Preeminence of Jesus Christ in Sanctification”<br /><br /><strong>Saturday June 25, 2011 – 9:30 am-12:00 noon</strong><br /><strong>Reddit Andrews</strong>: Colossians 3:18-4:6, “The Preeminence of Jesus Christ in Our Relationships”<br /><strong>Anthony Carter</strong>: Colossians 4:7-18, “Jesus Christ: The Preeminent Reward of Faithful Servants”<br /><br />Each year, those who have the opportunity to attend the New Life Bible Conference always come away with high praises for the great teaching and Christian fellowship. If you are able to get to the Chicagoland area, I encourage you to consider attending this very affordable and accessible Bible conference. More information can be found at <strong><a href="http://www.newlifevh.org/ConferencesTemplate.html">New Life Fellowship’s website</a></strong>.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-73892255986786716542011-04-20T13:51:00.001-05:002011-04-20T13:59:19.397-05:00“What does it mean to be ‘in’ the word?”<script src="http://www.desiringgod.org/player.js?width=400&deepLinkEmbedCode=UwMGRlMjrWwFf9_1brB0d64zkhqLaKB3&height=250&embedCode=UwMGRlMjrWwFf9_1brB0d64zkhqLaKB3"></script>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-24888752581593124812011-04-19T23:02:00.002-05:002011-04-19T23:06:21.401-05:00Happy Birthday!<div align="justify">“Happy Birthday!” to my dearest and best friend in the world (other than Jesus)—my wife, Catherine. I love you!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597511715785692098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1098wtrrGyJhAWlASEOtbqSGYu7ETGTyLu5KvdPI61dnAOmFZMJLV2V08VHNxoLAbE9mNsZDWypVjDnAj0u7mg-OjUU_WVXW4w9MjUnq-T6-LelaF2eai94s7Yni0PqU0TBmmg/s400/IMG_0797.jpg" />Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-19991825677422572762011-04-19T22:43:00.003-05:002011-04-19T22:50:01.887-05:00“If you want to know Jesus, be much in His word.”<script src="http://www.desiringgod.org/player.js?deepLinkEmbedCode=hyeWNlMjqxe6TdVj7lNZTdOgjB2vtS2R&embedCode=hyeWNlMjqxe6TdVj7lNZTdOgjB2vtS2R&width=400&height=250"></script>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-3674775699796349782011-03-16T22:25:00.001-05:002011-03-16T22:27:41.770-05:00Lloyd-Jones on Whitefield<div align="justify">Wow! This is a rare treat (for me, at least): A short, 14-minute documentary on George Whitefield (arguably the greatest preacher of the 18th century) narrated by Martyn Lloyd-Jones (arguably the greatest preacher of the 20th century).<br /><br />HT: <a href="http://adrianwarnock.com/"><strong>Adrian Warnock</strong></a><br /><br /><object style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 330px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QhN2VgdJp_c?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QhN2VgdJp_c?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="330"></embed></object></div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36267841.post-84638501793896096612011-03-12T00:53:00.013-06:002011-03-12T01:55:10.447-06:00Music to encourage the soul<div align="justify">The last couple days the Lord has ministered to me through YouTube and the old-school gospel choir music that I’ve been digging up at that site. Listen to these selections from back in the day, and meditate on the Scripture verses I’ve included with each selection. May the Lord encourage your soul.<br /><br /><br /><strong>“We Need to Hear From You”<br /></strong>(1990 - Andraé Crouch)<br /><br />2 Chronicles 7:14<br />“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”<br /><br />Revelation 3:13, 22<br />“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WRwu0IITh3M?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>“God Never Fails”<br /></strong>(1967 - Harold Smith’s Majestic Choir of Detroit, with Harold Freeman & Charles Johnson on lead)<br /><br />Hebrews 13:5-6<br />“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qQ2yuyernHE?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>“I’ll Get Home Someday”<br /></strong>(1970 – George Jordan & the choir of Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, Chicago)<br /><br />Hebrews 13:14<br />“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”<br /><br />Philippians 3:14<br />“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/45NIKcRL8r8?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>“The Potter’s House”<br /></strong>(1990 – recorded by Tramaine & the late Walter Hawkins. Incidentally, this song is composed by V. Michael McKay, whom I had the privilege of meeting and talking to, just 3 weeks ago!)<br /><br />Jeremiah 18:1-6<br />“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: ‘Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I... will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the LORD came to me: ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.’”<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vBoG86wOIMo?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>“My Soul Loves Only You”</strong><br />(1983 - Sandra Crouch)<br /><br />Song of Solomon 3:1-4<br />“On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not. The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. ‘Have you seen him whom my soul loves?’ Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go…”<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d47Juhz3Ens?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe></div>Wyeth Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07037542472866679987noreply@blogger.com0