A Rude Awakening Awaits

The Presidential Primary in New Hampshire is plastered all over the media today. It's as if nothing else matters, that life's swinging pendulim is anchored to this one day, this one blip in history. In the mean time, courts are ruling on the side of child pornographers, abortion continues, and every form of sexual immorality has found the sweet spot of acceptance within our culture. Which candidate in New Hampshire, Dem or Rep, is crying out for the reformation of our social character? Which on is giving a forceful call to rethink how we search for and embrace truth? Which candidate is challenging our thought paradigm? Who is calling for sanity in freedom, and moderation in persuing personal hapiness? What man or woman desiring to rule is calling for personal sacrifice that doesn't include an increase in taxation?

The list of questions is really many times this numbers....but there isn't room here. One can't help but smile as the media portrays Obama, or Mitt, or Huck, as the next bright spots for "change" in our nation. They are all great orators. They speak from the heart with words that make a semblence of sense and can be understood by most people with a sixth grade education. But, 'NEWS FLASH,' oratory changes nothing.

One of the greatest orators of the last century was Nebraskan, William Jennings Bryan. I've read his stuff....man could he turn a phrase and influence the ears. Can you recall his most important oratorical moment? Yup, the Scope's Monkey Trial. His arguments were right, correct, and powerful. So why is evolutionary theory the understanding of the land with an iron grip on this last generation? Is it because of scientific viability? Nah! It is because people wanted to believe something that would hold no personal accountability, no possibility of proferred judgment, no moderation, no visible restraints. "The fittest must survive!"

Obama may bring some change if he is elected president. So might the others. But slick foreign policy, monetary conservatism, or higher/lower taxes will not bring the awakening America needs.
Whoever ends up in the White House, unless the heart of Americans who really do trust God seeks change, the only awakening will be rude. Here is why? APATHY. Apathy has brought on Atrophy. Jesus' followers are paralized. We've made a partial purchase in the market place of relativism....Oprah style universalism....accepting other's truth as viable. Sure, it sounds intolerant to believe Jesus is actually the only way to the Father as he clearly said, but applying the breaks to your car is the only way to avoid running a stop sign! Opening your respitory system and taking air is the only way to breath. Unless believers begin to obey the truth of the Word in every area of their lives, change will remain an illusive oratorical trick by slick politicians in order to get a vote.

Conclusion: Exercise your vote. More importantly, let's exercise our knees by bending them in repentance for not loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and not loving our neighbor as ourselves---loving him enough to respectfully challenge his thinking by presenting Jesus! Cool verse....2 Chornicles 7:14.... check it out. If you apply it, the outlook of your day may improve markedly. "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."

Tomorrow I'll deal with America and how it is forsaking its only hope of survival....its treatment of Israel! Until then.... Pastor Jim (Comments or questions are welcomed:)