Wow. Very well written. I remember Amsterdam, and how all the youth would travel there via daily train ride from Germany, Switzerland, or whatever part of Europe they lived, to get their drugs. Europe: A whole different world. Izzy
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 9:15 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [TruthTalk] A Call to Pray 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. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." 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