There have been various prayer movements in the United States focused on praying for change in our government, the most popular that I know of being TheCall.  I’m sure a lot of young Christians now are probably devastated by the election results, at a loss to explain why God would seemingly ignore their heartfelt prayers.

While some proponents might argue otherwise, the whole point of these movements have been largely to effect political reform.  They were overly focused on what was happening with our government, but not what was happening in the churches.  In short, we were praying for the wrong things.

Our churches are in complete disarray, deluged with religious fads and heretical teachings, with a community of believers that are more concerned about prosperity than they are about holiness.  Whatever the world does, we imitate it at every turn, whether it’s coming up with our own version of “American Idol” or turning our churches into entertainment centers complete with built-in basketball courts and coffee shops.  We’ve become so preoccupied with meaningless creature comforts, and through it all we’ve allowed an entire generation of Christians to be deceived by the rampant heresies that have overwhelmed the body of Christ.  And yet in spite of all this, we’re holding prayer vigils outside the U.S. Supreme Court building pleading for God to give us more conservative judges.  And how has that been working out so far?

Here’s the deal:  God is not concerned with our governments so much as He is concerned with His people.  And since judgment must first begin in the house of God, our focus should always be on taking care of the church first before anything else, ensuring that we walk soberly, with our minds on heaven rather than on political issues of the day.  All the nations are as a drop in the bucket to the LORD of creation anyway, and more notably, the lesson of history has shown us when a remnant of God’s people repent and seek Him with their whole hearts, things then have a way of working out for themselves without any active intervention on our part.

This will soon be an extraordinarily distressing time for Christians, yet I believe it is not intended for our destruction, but rather to encourage us to seek the LORD once again in a spirit of true repentance and broken heartedness.  Whom the LORD loves He rebukes and chastens, and He admonishes us all to “be zealous therefore, and repent.”

So for those of you have become disillusioned and even bitter about the direction our country has been heading in, don’t despair.  God has not abandoned us, and while we may experience grievous times, it is in those times that we will find true faith and revival.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

Tags: abandoned, america, christ, christian, Christians, church, churches, country, despair, election, God, government, heresies, holiness, judgment, lord, nation, peace, prayer, prayers, praying, religious fads, remnant, repent, repentance, revival, sin, thecall, unanswered, world
Categories: Christians Gone Wild
 
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A few years ago, I had a really vivid dream where I briefly met… the one. I was sitting in a Subway restaurant when all of a sudden she just appeared, sitting across from me and holding my hand. I couldn’t see her face too clearly, but she was thin, had long blonde hair, and a beautiful smile. I knew I was dreaming too, which for me is very rare, in fact it may have been the first time I was ever aware that I was in a dream. I could feel myself waking up too, and I held on to her hand desperately, not willing to let her go.

She continued to smile at me, her face at peace, her fingers interlocked with mine, and promised me that I would see her soon.

And then she was gone.

Usually I dismiss most of my dreams as being sheer nonsense (including the dreams where I’m Spider-man), but because this one was so vivid, and because I knew I was dreaming, I have to wonder… was she real? Does the girl of my dreams really have blonde hair and a gorgeous smile? Will I meet her in a Subway restaurant someday?

I do know one thing: I’ve made Subway a WHOLE lot richer now ever since I had that dream.

It’s true though, and since I’m a romantic at heart, I make a point of stopping by every Subway joint I come across, just to see if there’s a cute blonde inside snacking on a veggie sandwich.

Tags: dream, dream girl, fingers, heart, love, peace, romance, spider man, subway restaurant, vision, whole lot
Categories: Romance and Relationships
 
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“Every Thanksgiving, over 80 million Americans get together to be with their families…. and wonder why.”

This time of year used to get on my nerves for the longest time. Because I no longer have a social network of family or friends, Thanksgiving would usually find me twiddling my thumbs or climbing the walls out of sheer boredom.

A long time ago, when I used to have a family, we would often get together at my grandfather’s house for a feast of the ages. I remember aunts, uncles, friends of the family, ad infinitum coming from all over to celebrate and toast the occasion.

But I also remembered the arguments too. And the fights. And the screaming. Thanksgiving, instead of being a time of reflection and giving thanks for what we had, instead became a poorly scripted soap opera. There was contention, strife, envying, bitterness and genuine hatred all around.

But then one day, my family went away, and with it all the aggravation and grief that came with it. Thanksgiving, though often a dull occasion for the last few years, was at least a QUIET and PEACEFUL occasion.

Upon reflection, it seems I do have much to be thankful for after all. Thankful for a good job, a warm home, a beautiful car, many material blessings (including my smokin’ sweet laptop), and of course the blessing of no longer having to deal with a family of relatives that brought me nothing but grief and pain.

This year, I’m thankful above all for hope: hope for a better future, the prospects of a new career, and of perhaps finally meeting my one true soulmate (preferably a woman).

Tags: aggravation, aunts, beautiful car, better future, bitterness, climbing the walls, contention, family, good job, job, peace, soap opera, soulmate, strife, thankful, thanks, Thanksgiving, time of year, uncles
Categories: Lincoln's Personal Log
 
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