Thanks Michael for encouraging us to pray about the storm headed for FLA, it's a bit difficult right now for me to be so single minded in the midst of all these kinfolk in AR but I will work on it. Here are some more concerns and reasons for vigilence ... jt
By Larry Tomczak, Senior Pastor Christ the King Church of Atlanta Last week I was returning to Atlanta from a ministry trip in another state. Going to the airport, a twenty-something young man seated behind me in the van related the following account of his pregnant wife�s recent death. �While driving home at night, I simply dozed off for a few seconds. Rebounding, I found myself drifting into the next lane and then it was too late. The truck hit her side and I lost the love of my life� and our first child.� Tragedies happen. Some can be prevented, others can�t. Wisdom dictates we always be vigilant. In pivotal times, it is imperative that we don�t let our guard down. Election 2004 is only a matter of weeks away. Are we ready? Do we grasp the significance of the moment? After 9/11 we knew we had our �wake up call� � but how many have pushed the snooze alarm and drifted back to sleep? Recently I returned from another ministry trip to Amsterdam where I had a second �wake up call� and a preview of where America is headed if we don�t vote our values and mobilize morality-minded masses. To register and then go to the ballot box on November 2nd is our Christian duty as �salt� and �light.� Good government comes from good leadership. �When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan� (Prov 29:2). Consider the following: Amsterdam, Holland is the launch pad for our nation. Remember where our first settlers came from? The Dutch explorer Hudson first came to New York � officially called �New Netherlands.� New York City was �New Amsterdam.� Brooklyn� Harlem� the Hudson�. Pennsylvania Dutch� derive their names from our early ancestors. And what was Holland known for then which continues today? Tolerance. Tolerance used to mean �respect for other�s beliefs.� Today it means �respect for others conduct.� In other words: there is no absolute standard of morality. �Every man does what is right in his own eyes� (Jdg 17:6). Taken to an extreme, where does this ideology lead? Presently in Amsterdam I observed: - Abortion � legal and promoted - Euthanasia � legal and promoted - Same-sex marriage � legal and promoted - Drugs - legal and promoted (stop by your �Starbucks� equivalent and get some �hashish� with your mocha frappuchino) - Sex shows and pornography � legal and promoted - Prostitution � legal and promoted (27,000 �registered� ladies sitting in windows like display items at Old Navy) - Homosexuality and lesbianism � legal and promoted - Age of consent � lowered to twelve (12) - Gambling � legal and promoted - Sex-change operations (they call them �gender reassignments�) � legal and promoted and subsidized by the government - �Burnout� or five-year drop out from work (due to depression) totally financed by tax dollars. Rampant and escalating. Most get �full salary� and can renew in five-year cycles for the rest of their lives! Upon returning from Amsterdam a Christian commented: �That�s the future of America.� I agree � unless we stand strong and pray, fast, elect godly leaders and resist passivity like a plague. Consider the following: According to the Pew Research Center, in 2000 almost half of America�s 59 million evangelical Christians did not even register to vote. And only 15 million of the 35 million who were registered went to the polls. What remains? The reality: only 25% of evangelical Christians voted in 2000 (an election decided by slightly over 500 votes!). Another reality: we can�t prevail in the battle for our nation�s future, our families and our faith if Christians sit on the sidelines. The stakes are incredibly high! This election is not primarily about Republican versus Democrat. It�s about two different worldviews! The two leaders hold completely different positions on the issues below: - War on terror - Sanctity of human life - Protecting the institution of marriage - Judicial appointments - Preserving references to God - Morality based on biblical standards vs. popular positions� political correctness� TOLERANCE In Sweden a court recently sentenced a pastor to one month in prison for offending homosexuals in a sermon (citing Bible verses on the subject was called �hate speech�). In Germany a court recently decided two parents many not educate their children at home for reasons of faith or conscience, but must send them to state-registered schools. In America� I hear the alarm ringing and see the storm clouds gathering. As Election Day nears, I appeal to you: Pray. Stay informed. Stay involved. VOTE. We are at a crossroads. This is no time to be �asleep at the wheel.� �It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.� - Patrick Henry INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA PO BOX 915 PURCELLVILLE, VA 20134 Tel 540-751-0980 Fax 540-751-0984 E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web www.ifapray.org ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
