At the time I read his email and the article, I was excited about this task and just couldn't wait to respond! I sent off a quick reply to Jim and asked:
Would it be best to make it short and to the point? Is it OK to provide additional links to back up what I am saying in my response (plus, give readers the option to read much more)?
The idea was to respond and use the "reply all" button so that everyone could read each person's response. I was ready to write a book! On second thought, people might not read it if it is too long. So, I was thinking that I would make it a short response and just include links to expand upon the points.
I was really excited about responding. This was a topic right up Talk Wisdom's alley!
Because of prior obligations yesterday, I knew that I couldn't type my response right away. But my mind was already filled with several points I wanted to make.
After I read Jim's email and the article link, it was time to close my browser and head out the door to meet a friend for breakfast. After that, I had several errands to do. After that, I had chores at home. After that, I needed to cook dinner. After that, I had to clean up the kitchen. By the time I was done, I was just too exhausted to type up my response last night. I sent Jim an email explaining that I will respond tomorrow. He was gracious and understanding.
This morning, while drinking my coffee I looked at my bookshelf to see what book I wanted to start reading this week. Passed over several of them. Then, I spotted "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado.
Have you ever had an argument...well....maybe more like a conversation with yourself in your own mind? I thought, "I have already read that book."
Something (Someone?) told me, "Read it again."
But, I want to start a new book.
"Read it again."
O.K. I will read it again.
When I opened the book, I had a bookmark at chapter 12 entitled, "Strongholds." I thought to myself - yes - this is a chapter that I need to read again! Many people (if the truth be told - ALL people) struggle with strongholds in their lives.
As I read through the chapter, all that I wanted to share in my reply to Jim's email and article link began to fade away. I had found the response that maybe God wanted me to share!
First things first. Here is a copy of Jim's email which includes the link to the article he requested me to read:
If you choose to reply to this, please select "Reply All" as I am sending this communication to all Pastors, Leaders and Teachers of the Church as I have listed in my address book.
In the past year, I have had concerns for the direction the Church is heading and the ever increasing ineffectiveness of our (not all of you) leaders.
Please take a moment to read the article at this link: America - A Christian Nation?
This is just one of many opinions I have read concerning the direction and influence of the Church.
In the past year, I have sent emails to Pastors, teachers and leaders whom I know, personally. In some cases, I received requests to have their names removed from my address book. I was told that what I was submitting to your attention was offensive. In every case I had sent this type of communication, it was to convey information that the media is putting aside, and then, when the Supreme Court decides not to hear a case with highly credible evidence, the media announces that the SCOTUS will not hear the case, as if many really knew of it in the first place!
Some of these Pastors have stated their opinions and request that I not send information in such a way that I have felt shame for even sending information which expressed my concerns. One, threatened to place my email address in his "Junk Mail Folder".Jim adds:
To clarify what my concern is; I wrote to say Christians are allowing issues of economy, and environment (which are important) to trump those values that are the signature of God's will. And thus, have given their vote to an immoral man who has claimed to be a Christian and is setting a poor example as to what a Christian is by his desire to promote abortion and the homosexual agenda. And our pastors, teachers and leaders are being silent, not wanting to offend anyone by proclaiming what God has said.
Please take a moment to comment and select "reply all".
Sincerely,
James Leasure
I have to agree with Jim on his concerns. Ignoring the abortion issue and Obama's support for the homosexual agenda was, IMHO, an extreme mistake (for all - but especially for Christians). Because of this, our nation will inevitably suffer dire consequences when Obama gets into office and has the power to exert his political will over our country.
Due to the fact that we will have a president who holds a worldview that is as anti-Bible as any atheist, agnostic, or even Marxist/Communist out there, our nation will face being under an anti-Christian stronghold for four years. The havoc that will be unleashed is currently unknown to us now, but when he gets into office and starts placing his far left policies into place, I truly believe that many people will regret voting for this man.
First, here is a definition of the term "stronghold":
A "stronghold" is defined as:
1. A fortified place or a fortress.
2. a. A place of survival or refuge: one of the last strongholds of an age-old tradition.
b. An area dominated or occupied by a special group or distinguished by a special quality: a feminist stronghold; a stronghold of democracy.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Let's look at an ancient example of one man who had the courage to stand against the strongholds of his day.
In 2 Samuel 5, we read how many times David had to defeat the Philistines, who, when they heard that David had captured the city came back again and again to take it away.
In "Facing Your Giants," Max Lucado mentions that strongholds are often a tool of Satan.
What is that one weakness, bad habit, rotten attitude? Where does Satan have a stronghold within you? Ahh, there is the fitting word - stronghold: a fortress, citadel, thick walls, tall gates. It's as if the devil staked a claim on one weakness and constructed a rampart around it. "You ain't touching this flaw, " he defies heaven, placing himself squarely between God's help and your
* explosive temper
* fragile self-image
* freezer-size appetite,
* distrust for authority.
He (Satan) won't go away. He lives up to both sides of his compound name: strong enough to grip like a vise and stubborn enough to hold on. He clamps like a bear trap - the harder you shake, the more it hurts.
Strongholds: old, difficult, discouraging challenges.
That's what David faced when he looked at Jerusalem. When you and I think of the city we envision temples and prophets. We picture Jesus teaching, a New Testament church growing. We imagine a thriving, hub-of-history capital.
When David sees Jerusalem in 1000 BC, he sees something else. He sees a millennium-old, cheerless fortress, squatting defiantly on the spine of a ridge of hills. A rugged outcropping elevates her. Tall walls protect her. Jebusites indwell her. No one bothers them. Philistines fight the Amalekites. Amalekites fight the Hebrews. But the Jebusites? They are a coiled rattlesnake in the desert. Everyone leaves them alone.
We could use the description of a "coiled rattlesnake" to emphasize what is happening in America today. How many could you list?
1. The coiled rattlesnake of Atheists Posting Hateful Sign Against Christian Faith
2. The coiled rattlesnake of Homosexual activists destroying traditional marriage. and why it matters that theologically liberal Christians often side with them.
3. The coiled rattlesnake of The abortion myth: It's just a clump of cells crowd.
4. The coiled rattlesnake of the genuine, anti-choice crowd and all of the issues and views that they want to silence and eliminate.
I could list many, many more examples of strongholds in our society that have, unfortunately, captured the minds, hearts, souls and spirits of people...even some self-professing Christians. The "Media of Mass Deception" is highly responsible for this and has caused many people to swallow that blue pill of an alternate reality which is anathema to God and His Word.
Let's continue with David's story in Lucado's book:
Everyone leaves them (the Jebusites) alone. Everyone, that is, except David. The just-crowned king of Israel has his eye on Jerusalem. He's inherited a divided kingdom. The people need, not just a strong leader, but strong headquarters.
Lucado cites 2 Samuel 5:6-9 (NKJV):
2Sa 5:6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you," thinking, "David cannot come in here."
2Sa 5:7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).
2Sa 5:8 Now David said on that day, "Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul), he shall be chief and captain."* Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."
2Sa 5:9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo* and inward.
Lucado continues:
This regrettably brief story tantalizes us with the twofold appearance of the term stronghold. In verse 7, "David took the stronghold," and in verse 9, "David dwelt in the stronghold."
[J]erusalem meets the qualifications of one: an old, difficult, and discouraging fortress. From atop the turrets, Jebusite soldiers have ample time to direct arrows at any would-be wall climbers. And discouraging? Just listen to the way the city-dwellers taunt David. "You'll never get in here...Even the blind and lame could keep you out!" (5:6 NLT).
The Jebusites pour scorn on David like Satan dumps buckets of discouragement on you:
* "You'll never overcome your bad habits."
* "Born white trash; gonna die white trash."
* "Think you can overcome your addictions? Think again."
In Lucado's book, he discusses the individual strongholds that can ruin our lives if we let the enemy of our souls build a stronghold there. I have only listed just a few of the strongholds (above) that can overtake our lives and lead us away from facing that giant of unrepentant sin in our lives; which, in turn, may hinder us from salvation through Jesus Christ.
I ask you. Is "just getting along" and "not sharing the need for repentance" and "staying silent on social and moral issues" which are in direct defiance of God's Holy Word what Jesus would have us do?
No. Of course not!
Lucado:
If you've heard the mocking David heard, your story needs the word David's has. Did you see it? Most hurry past it. Let's not. Pull out a pen and underline this twelve-letter masterpiece.
Nevertheless.
"Nevertheless David took the stronghold..."
Granted, the city was old. The walls were difficult. The voices were discouraging...Nevertheless David took the stronghold.
The voices were discouraging (both of our enemies and our liberal left media)... Nevertheless, LIBERTY took the stronghold.
David turns a deaf ear to old voices. Those mockers strutting on the wall tops? David ignores them. He dismisses their words and goes about his work.
That's a true sign of a great leader...
Wouldn't you love God to write a nevertheless in your biography?
We all need a nevertheless. And God has plenty to go around. Strongholds mean nothing to him. Remember Paul's words? "We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4 NLT)
Lucado:
Remember Nehemiah? Five hundred years later, he headed up a building program to restore the fortifications after Jerusalem was in ruins and many people were in captivity. Critics tell him to stop. They plan to interfere with his work. They list all the reasons the stones can't and shouldn't be re stacked. But Nehemiah won't listen to them. Nehemiah knew how to press the "mute button" on his dissenters. (see Neh. 6:3)
What about the individual, personal strongholds in your own life?
Lucado:
Two types of thoughts continually vie for your attention. One proclaims God's strengths; the other lists your failures.
Why listen to the mockers...when you can, with the same ear, listen to the voice of God?
I know many victorious Christians who overcame some deep and difficult strongholds within their own lives! Alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, pornography...you name it.
Just like David, they found fresh hope in God through His strength!
The Person of Jesus Christ indwelling within the soul of the believer has the power to overcome any stronghold in your life...if you allow Him to work within you through the power of the Holy Spirit!
What a promise we have in Jesus Christ!!
Eph 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 who* is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Eph 1:15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
Eph 1:16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
Eph 1:18 the eyes of your understanding* being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
Eph 1:20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Eph 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Footnotes:
1:10 NU-Text and M-Text omit both.
1:14 NU-Text reads which.
1:18 NU-Text and M-Text read hearts.
Lucado:
Who knows, you may be a prayer away from a nevertheless. God loves to give them.
Source: Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado; W Publishing Group, A Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006, pp.
*******
HT's:
Jim Leasure: Journaling For Growth
GOP USA
America - A Christian Nation?
Matrix Philosphy - Blue or Red Pill?
4 Simpsons: Eternity Matters