   (…continued) In his Small Catechism explanation to the 4th petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Martin Luther listed many of the things God has given us for which we should give thanks. Included in that list is the gift of “good government.” Despite all the problems with our government, and for all that we […]
1546) The Declaration of Dependence (b) Read More »
           Does the Independence Day holiday have anything to do with religion? No, say many folks in the church. God is God of all people, not just of the United States, so church is not place for any sort of national pride, or, for the observation of national holidays. That is what many folks in
1545) The Declaration of Dependence (a) Read More »
By Eric Metaxas, on Breakpoint Daily, March 28, 2017  (www.breakpoint.org) ——————————    In his new book, The Benedict Option, my friend Rod Dreher makes a sobering and sadly accurate claim: “Christians who hold to the biblical teaching about sex and marriage, have the same status in culture, and increasingly in law, as racists.” Â
1448) Who Will Help the Homeless? Read More »
   The Constitutional Convention of 1787 held its meetings in secret, and its members were expected to keep the details of their discussions and debates confidential.  The official papers of the Convention sat in the State Department offices, untouched, until 1818.  When finally released to the public, it was clear that tempers flared often
1444) Ben Franklin’s Request for Prayer Read More »
By Pastor Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor of University Reformed Church (PCA), East Lansing, Michigan; prayed in the November 13, 2016 worship service (adapted). —————————— Our good and gracious heavenly Father, we praise you for your almighty and ever present power, by which you create and sustain all things. When we don’t know what will happen with
1318) A Post-Election Prayer Read More »
Two ‘prose poems’ by Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), from Stories and Prose Poems, translated by Michael Glenny, 1970, pages 214-216. ——————— A JOURNEY ALONG THE OKA Â Â Â Â Traveling along the country roads in central Russia, you begin to understand why the Russian countryside has such a soothing effect. Â Â Â Â It is because
1240) Mourning the Loss of Faith in His Homeland Read More »
By John Stonestreet at http://www.breakpoint.org, August 9, 2016. ———————————- Â Â Â So, have you heard this one? Â Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are stranded at sea on a life boat. Â Who survives? Â America does! Â Â Â Â What a bizarre election year this has been. Â Â Â Now, despite the dire warnings from both candidates
1218) Election 2016 and the Judgment of God Read More »
By Chuck Colson (1931-2012) , 2001, at: Â www.breakpoint.org —————– Â Â Â Congress recently shot down a constitutional amendment that would have required the federal government to balance its budget (note the date– this was 2001; The national debt has more than tripled since then). Â In essence Congress said, “We can’t do it. Â We can’t do
1213) Government as a False God Read More »
   The New Testament gives some guidance for our understanding of our duties and responsibilities as citizens.  It does not give specifics, but it does set parameters.  Government is to be respected, obeyed, and appreciated; but it is not to be followed blindly, nor should it be obeyed when obeying means disobeying God.  But
1148) Martin Luther and Politics Read More »
Above image:Â Vietnam Reflections, by Lee Teter, 1988 ——————- Â Â Â (…continued)Â Four Scripture passages that speak to this issue… Â Â Â I Samuel 17 tells the familiar story of David and Goliath. Â David, probably only 15 or 16 years old, accepted the challenge to fight the giant warrior Goliath, and David killed him on
1146) A Sermon for Memorial Day (b) Read More »
