I think the right, not conservatives per se, has developed a persecution complex. Christians are to be joyful in persecution. This persecution complex is separating the Christians from the pagans on the right. For perspective, we just went through four years of Donald Trump. We had two years of Republican full control. We packed the Courts of Appeals and secured the Supreme Court’s center-right balance for the next generation. Twenty states have not just complete Republican legislative control, but control of the Governor’s Mansion, Secretary of State’s office, and Attorney General
I do not believe God intends for His children to be surrounded by conflict and not defend themselves, especially when that conflict encroaches upon their lives. The Left is not interested in letting Christians, or anyone else who disagrees with them, go on living their lives unmolested. You know this. You wrote a book about it. You Will Be Made To Care. You will.
I firmly believe and enact the idea that I can and will live in peace with anyone who will let me. That means if you will let me live my life the way I see fit without interference from you, I'll do the reciprocate. Treat your neighbor as you'd like to be treated. However, we saw with Gay Marriage they have no interest in doing that. Okay. So, I will armor up, step up, and fight as my Lord so directs with the weapons He directs, in the places where He directs.
The pendulum will surely swing. But for now, the Democrats must be stymied at every turn with things they cannot easily undo. They need to be marginalized and beaten down like they try to do to everyone else. There is no mercy. There should never be a respite. There should be no mercy. And we should never stop saying the truth.
Reading Erick calms me down to a degree. It's nice to know of a public figure who belongs to the same confessional church as do I (Pres. Church of America) and is not hysterical in the culture wars. Living in the City of Philadelphia, if I were to do more in politics than to vote in elections, I would be hysterical. Crime and murders are up, and what does New Jersey (across the river) do but legalize marijuana! Rather than spend thousands of dollars incarcerating people with minor drug violations, how about public whippings? How can we expect just judges without more knowledge of the Bible in public life? What sane person would want to be a mayor of a large city anyway? Come, Lord Jesus!
Erick, Thank you again. It is directed that we live quietly going about our lives without agitation, knowing that when we are called on to testify, the Lord through the Spirit will give us those utterances needed to bring Glory to the only One that sits on the real throne. It is a difficult time we live in, attempting to be faithful and a witness to the future hope and glory we desire so many to be a part of. It is truly a frightening thing to fall into the hands of the living God, and hell is not a place a wish on any man or woman. I pray that we will not be ashamed at that accounting and that family and friends will hear those blessed words, "well done, my good and faithful servant ...enter in". That is what I wish for, and it to that end that I remind the folks I know that today is still the day of salvation. May God's Grace continue to flow from the work you are doing. Charles
When considering the stupid party and the evil party, I remind myself that neither has a monopoly on stupidity and/or evil. Christians must not check their faith when considering different issues. The smarmy wing of the stupid party is already maneuvering to find seats for themselves on the secular Sanhedrin, and the Judas wing never misses an opportunity to surrender in the name of bipartisanship and their principles.
When confronted by the Sanhedrin as to why they continued teaching in His name, Peter replied in Acts 5:29 " “We must obey God rather than any human authority. "
I think Christians need to separate from the political right. Political clout has poisoned the well of conservatism and the powerful (talking to you, K McCarthy from Bakersfield) are more interested in accruing and maintaining power than in remembering whom they vowed to represent. Jesus called out all the extremes of political and nationalist views, reminding his followers that his kingdom is of another world. Retaliatory political moves only escalate the rhetoric and activities of secularism - and definitely do not represent the vast majority of people who just want to be free to live their lives in peace.
There is no divide is between “everything is fine, calm down” and “we’re at war, send ammo.” Jesus already won the war - everything really is fine. But the enemy won’t let it go, so we’re still supposed to be recruiting from the other side. The ammo we need is peace and joy. A sense of humor wouldn’t hurt either. Either / or in this case is an imaginary box drawn to distract us from reality. Reality is even weirder and more amazing than politics. And much, much bigger.
"Send ammo" Okay. Put on the full armor of God.
I do not believe God intends for His children to be surrounded by conflict and not defend themselves, especially when that conflict encroaches upon their lives. The Left is not interested in letting Christians, or anyone else who disagrees with them, go on living their lives unmolested. You know this. You wrote a book about it. You Will Be Made To Care. You will.
I firmly believe and enact the idea that I can and will live in peace with anyone who will let me. That means if you will let me live my life the way I see fit without interference from you, I'll do the reciprocate. Treat your neighbor as you'd like to be treated. However, we saw with Gay Marriage they have no interest in doing that. Okay. So, I will armor up, step up, and fight as my Lord so directs with the weapons He directs, in the places where He directs.
The pendulum will surely swing. But for now, the Democrats must be stymied at every turn with things they cannot easily undo. They need to be marginalized and beaten down like they try to do to everyone else. There is no mercy. There should never be a respite. There should be no mercy. And we should never stop saying the truth.
Amen. This is reality-based wisdom. Keep calm, don't be goaded into doing stupid things.
Reading Erick calms me down to a degree. It's nice to know of a public figure who belongs to the same confessional church as do I (Pres. Church of America) and is not hysterical in the culture wars. Living in the City of Philadelphia, if I were to do more in politics than to vote in elections, I would be hysterical. Crime and murders are up, and what does New Jersey (across the river) do but legalize marijuana! Rather than spend thousands of dollars incarcerating people with minor drug violations, how about public whippings? How can we expect just judges without more knowledge of the Bible in public life? What sane person would want to be a mayor of a large city anyway? Come, Lord Jesus!
People are stupid and voters are people.
I can work with that as a lyric. Kinda like...
God is great, beer is good
And people are crazy
Erick, Thank you again. It is directed that we live quietly going about our lives without agitation, knowing that when we are called on to testify, the Lord through the Spirit will give us those utterances needed to bring Glory to the only One that sits on the real throne. It is a difficult time we live in, attempting to be faithful and a witness to the future hope and glory we desire so many to be a part of. It is truly a frightening thing to fall into the hands of the living God, and hell is not a place a wish on any man or woman. I pray that we will not be ashamed at that accounting and that family and friends will hear those blessed words, "well done, my good and faithful servant ...enter in". That is what I wish for, and it to that end that I remind the folks I know that today is still the day of salvation. May God's Grace continue to flow from the work you are doing. Charles
Thanks for keeping me from the edge of the cliff…………😀
When considering the stupid party and the evil party, I remind myself that neither has a monopoly on stupidity and/or evil. Christians must not check their faith when considering different issues. The smarmy wing of the stupid party is already maneuvering to find seats for themselves on the secular Sanhedrin, and the Judas wing never misses an opportunity to surrender in the name of bipartisanship and their principles.
When confronted by the Sanhedrin as to why they continued teaching in His name, Peter replied in Acts 5:29 " “We must obey God rather than any human authority. "
I think Christians need to separate from the political right. Political clout has poisoned the well of conservatism and the powerful (talking to you, K McCarthy from Bakersfield) are more interested in accruing and maintaining power than in remembering whom they vowed to represent. Jesus called out all the extremes of political and nationalist views, reminding his followers that his kingdom is of another world. Retaliatory political moves only escalate the rhetoric and activities of secularism - and definitely do not represent the vast majority of people who just want to be free to live their lives in peace.
There is no divide is between “everything is fine, calm down” and “we’re at war, send ammo.” Jesus already won the war - everything really is fine. But the enemy won’t let it go, so we’re still supposed to be recruiting from the other side. The ammo we need is peace and joy. A sense of humor wouldn’t hurt either. Either / or in this case is an imaginary box drawn to distract us from reality. Reality is even weirder and more amazing than politics. And much, much bigger.
Great points, a good reminder for those of us who are both conservative and Christian - they go hand in hand and must be kept in balance
Wise words, Erick.
One of your best columns ever, and almost completely free of Twitter references.
You have "uncommon" common sense
" I can hear some of you with your spittle"--?
"Pyrrhic"