“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 1:18-20, NIV)
I enjoy pulling up behind someone with a good bumper sticker. My favorite: “Where am I and how did I get in this handbasket?”
Part of my daily routine is reading the newspaper. Over the last month, one of my great concerns has been revelations about the activities of Planned Parenthood. Every day I looked for something in the paper – and AP story, a local angle. They had nothing. But they did run articles (at least five) about Cecil the lion. (As a side note, I pointed this out to the Editor of the DRC but they haven’t published it…strange).
I have nothing against Cecil (some of my best friends are lions) – but come on. To me, these priorities are strange…and so is this handbasket our nation finds itself in.
This week I’m beginning a sermon series called “Perspective.” Here’s the publicity blurb: “What is truth?” Pilate asked Jesus – a question repeated by philosophers and poets ever since. The Bible doesn’t shy away from controversial issues – neither should the people of the Book. Join New Life Church for Perspective – a sermon series by Dr. Jim Mann examining a biblical worldview regarding today’s headline-grabbing topics: sex, race, hate, war, terrorism, and more. This week’s message: “The State and the Church and the State of the Church.”
I want you to make a commitment to be in church for these messages. In them I will:
- Talk you off the cliff
- Point out the root issues that lead to these challenges
- Give you a biblical perspective on these issues
- Give you tools to discuss them with others
These won’t be political speeches – they will be positive messages helping you formulate your thoughts from the Scriptures. We’ll be doing this in conjunction with www.ExploreGod.com. Click that link and check it out when you get a minute.
God’s statement to Isaiah reminds us that if we (as individual OR as a nation) will heed His counsel, our best days are ahead of us. You and I are part of the solution!
