DOMA & MY TWEET TO ANDERSON COOPER

Well, here's reality!  If America remains on the moral track it's on, one day churches in America that believe God's word is inerrant and our final authority for life, faith and the practice thereof — and willing to speak out to that end — may be empty.  Here are the facts: 1) Less than 10% of 30 years olds go to church and less than 7% of teens go to church.  Put it together — they are the 'now' generation.  Couple that with today's evangelicals where less than 33% believe the Bible is God's word and we have a church comprised of people who call right wrong and wrong right.  Why is that?  Because we have a culture that has been trumped by a world-view where same-sex marriage, abortion, fornication, a socialistic-god and a host of other culturally imploding behaviors is believed acceptable and encouraged (the latter being the greater of the two evils).  Sadly, when a culture has reached this place in its history, without a revival, it has perished or become so weak it might as well have perished — it's influence to change the world for righteousness is gone.

With that said, here are my very brief and in-comprehensive thoughts on the U. S. Supreme Courts ruling on Defense of Marriage Act.  I need not tell you the comments around this tweet to @andersoncooper, which I posted on Facebook, are quite lively — and worth the read.  

@andersoncooper  Love ur show. But on this one the USSupreme Crt missed it - even Nature tells us it's wrong: simply consider the plumbing.

This is from my interruption no small intriguing conversation on Facebook: 

"My perspective is coming from "God's ruling" on same-sex marriage, not the Courts. What does a court do?  Pass judgment.  Read Romans 1.  Meditate on the last verse of the Chapter. It's not a matter of debate. Sorry! God has spoken clearly on this matter, and He did so at Creation. "In the beginning God created … Man and Woman and THEY became ONE flesh (not Noah and Canaan)."

My second interruption was to my son-in-law, whom I love dearly and think the world of, who defended the Court's ruling for constitutional reasons.  This was my response to him: 

"Really, Mr S.  If what you say is correct then the ruling would have been 9-0 not 5-4 with liberal judges leading the way." 

Much more to come ... 

BUT THIS I CAN DO

Yes, this sermon brought me to tears.  I know that sounds weird, that a person could pen a sermon and it moved him to tears, but it is true.  When I finished writing this sermon I was brushing back tears.  Now, here's my heart's cry: "Lord, let these words come alive in me; let these words be living and active.  Let me do all that I can as Senior Pastor of GCCC and a citizen of heaven (Eph 2:19) to enlarge my world of evangelism far beyond where it is I live."  

Here are the facts: the majority of churches grow through what is referred to in Church jargon as "transfers."  That is: a person (people) moving from one church to another, a church split, etc.  Very few churches truly grow by winning and discipling the lost.  God put it this way: "Men move boundary stones; they pasture flocks they have stolen."  Recall the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:15-16 "Neither do we go beyond our limited by boasting of work done by others. … For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man's territory."  

I remember when Sheryl and I, along with a handful of people truly burdened for the lost in what was my home town (Pitman and Washington Township) began knocking on doors, inviting people to Church and watching the Spirit build His family one person, one redeemed soul, at a time.  It was beautiful to behold.  And still is I might add.  With that said, as I entered the study to put together this sermon built upon "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations" and Scripture text John 3:16-17, I was convicted by how small my world really is.  Here's an excerpt from the sermon:   

As I close the day reading Amazing Grace – 366 Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions, there was a section of songs devoted to the cause of missions.  After the third or fourth day of reading these great hymns of the church, I was convicted that my world was so small. Couple that with a daily reading from my Prayer Journal, which directs one’s attention to a different country every week with a daily prayer, and I was embarrassed at how small my world was when it came to fulfilling the Great Commission.  (show photo of Prayer Journal)  For instance, this is the prayer for Monday, June 24: “Pray that farmers who want to stop growing opium poppies will find other sources of income.”  The introduction to the month of June is Opium Brides in Afghanistan.  

Let's fast forward! 

Then my mind went to Dr Sam working alongside of his brother Abraham with the refugees in southern India.  I remembered the Hindu children attending a Christian school, whose only nourishing meal was what they received at school.  (show slides)  But what really struck me was this – God loved EVERY ONE of those Hindu children as much as he loves each of our children.  Yes, as much as he loves Joel and Noelle, as much as he loves AJ and Levi, as much as he loves El and Shi – they are our children and grandchildren. One other thought came to my mind – I would give my life for my children and grandchildren.  Would I give my life for Hindu children I do not know and have little investment in?  I’m embarrassed to tell you, most likely not.  But God did.  Granted – I’m not God and I can’t know everyone – in fact, it is all I can do to remember most of your names.  But this I can do … ."

How exciting to know that we can see like God, and if we'll let our hearts go there — love the whole world.  It's not difficult.  In fact, it's quite simple and something each of us can attain.  And that's what this sermon and weekend is all about.

If you'd like a copy of this week's sermon, reply with "yes."  

In Jesus,

PB

Pastor Bruce

THE HISTORY OF FATHER'S DAY

Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909.  Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart.  William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child.  Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children on a rural farm in eastern Washington state.  It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. 

The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington.  At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day."  In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day.  In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing Congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers, thus "[singling] out just one of our two parents.” 

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.  Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.  

Father's Day is a day honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.  It is celebrated in 55 of the world's countries and on other days elsewhere. 

Father's Day is a day honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.  It is celebrated in 55 of the world's countries and on other days elsewhere. 

*pictured: My father, John M. Sofia