“Am I a soldier of the cross, A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause, Or blush to speak His Name?
“Must I be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas?”
(Isaac Watts)
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One Against the World: Overwhelmed?
On many fundamental issues, the world has gone stark-ravin’ mad and turned upside down where good is called evil, and evil is called good – often by our own government in recent years.
Christians are being attacked for their faith, while the attackers are praised and further emboldened to intensify their attacks – often with support from our own government during the Obama years.
Do we get discouraged? Of course we do! Do we feel overwhelmed by it all? Same answer.
After all, 45 years have passed since abortion was “legalized” by the Supreme Court, over 60 million unborn babies have been destroyed for our convenience, and the slaughter continues. Yes, it’s discouraging. Very.
Then, three years ago, we were told by the all-knowing, all-wise U.S. Supreme Court that a man should be able to marry a man and a woman marry a woman. With that decision, the court overturned laws that had been passed by over 30 state legislatures and approved by the millions of people they represent. It boggles the mind.
And now, just two years ago, we were told – again by members of the LGBT “mafia” — that a boy who feels like a girl on any given day should be able to use the girls’ restrooms and locker rooms in our public schools. If the schools refused, they were threatened with the loss of federal funding. It’s almost beyond belief.
So yes, we often feel alone, reluctant to engage because of the pushback and criticism that will likely follow. But are we ready to throw in the towel? Absolutely not! However, what can we do?
Five Helpful Suggestions
That is the background for our Crossroads program this weekend as we conclude our six-week study of an outstanding book entitled Why You Can’t Stay Silent: A Biblical Mandate to Shape Our Culture written by Tom Minnery, former VP of Focus on the Family.
In this final chapter, entitled “I’m Only One Person; What Can I Do?”, Minnery sets the stage by asking the big question: “How can we know what issues we need to tackle first?”
He then offers the following five suggestions to help us determine where and how we are best suited to engage the culture and to make a difference in our corner of the world.
1. “Do you have useful experience in an issue?” Doesn’t it make sense that those who have had some personal experience with an issue are best equipped to help others deal with that same issue?
2. “Has God planted in you a heart for people who are lost and who don’t know God?” This, after all, is the primary role of the church, not only for the here and now but also for the hereafter.
3. “What role suits your personality?” God has gifted each of us with different talents, interests, and personalities in order to address the wide range of needs in the world. What are yours?
4. “How much time do you have?” We are all in different stages of life, with more time available in some than in others. However, all of our time belongs to God, and we need to be wise stewards of that resource, making time to address pressing issues that lie beyond the four walls of our homes and businesses.
5. “To what are you committed?” As Minnery puts it, “What tugs at your heart as a violation of God’s righteousness and moves you to do everything possible to restore some corner of His Kingdom?”
Bringing It Home
It also helps to know that we are not alone. We are guided and empowered not only by God and His Word but also by legions of others who share our concerns and our passion to restore the Judeo-Christian values and constitutional principles on which America was founded.
The Valley is especially rich with an abundance of groups who are standing in the gap, who are willing and able to lead, and who need our help. Here are just several examples:
For expectant but sometimes confused mothers and the babies they carry, contact AvaCare or another pregnancy help center in your community. For human trafficking, contact New Creation. For abused women, contact East Gate Ministries. For sexual addictions and brokenness, contact Greater Hope.
For the hungry, the homeless, and the spiritually needy, contact the Salvation Army. For evangelistic outreach, contact Wingfield Ministries. For prison ministries, contact Kingsway Prison and Family Outreach. And, of course, there’s always your own church with its own outreach ministries.
Last but not least, there’s the Valley Family Forum and The Family Foundation in Richmond, working with you, with pastors, and with our legislators to defend and advance issues of Life, Faith, Family, and Freedom in the culture and in the public square.
Crossroads: Where Faith and Culture Meet
That’s the background for what Rita Dunaway and I will discuss this weekend in Part VI, the final chapter of our series on Why You Can’t Stay Silent.
It will air on one of the following Valley stations: WBTX (1470 AM and 102.1 FM) on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and again on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., followed by WSVA (550 AM and 92.1 FM) at 8:30, and on WNLR (1150) at 11:30. You can also listen online at www.valleyfamilyforum.org and click on the Crossroad’s link located on the home page.
Crossroads is almost entirely listener supported. Therefore, if you would like to help, please send your check to Crossroads at PO Box 881, Harrisonburg, 22803. All donations are tax-deductible.
In addition, please remember to check Rita’s columns on many of these hot-button issues that appear every week on World Net Daily and on Saturdays in the Daily News Record.
Thank You, for God and Country,
Dean