Will Christians Be included when God Judges America’s Sins?

Will Christians Be included when God Judges America’s Sins?

The answer to this question is an emphatic, YES.  Many Christians reject this idea because modern theology does not allow them to believe that God will punish “Christians” along with unbelievers.  Their argument goes something like this:  “As a Christian, Christ has forgiven me of my sins and therefore I won’t be held accountable for America’s sins.”  It is true that as a believer in Christ Jesus who has repented of my sins, God has indeed forgiven me of my many sins.  Please understand.  This is not an issue of salvation but of God’s judgment of nations.  This is a separate issue.

Throughout the Bible there are many examples of God’s judgment of national sins.  In fact, more than a few ancient civilizations no longer exist because of God’s judgment visited upon them.  When was the last time you spoke with a Moabite or an Ammonite or had lunch with a Philistine?  Much of the Old Testament contains the historic dealings of God with the nation of Israel.  God was personally involved with the priests, prophets, kings—the politicians of Israel.  He set kings upon the throne and in judgment cast them down.  He judged Israel (and the surrounding nations) for their national sins.  An objective look at Scripture reveals that God indeed is the judge of nations. [Psalm 110:6 and Joel 3:12]

During the period of the judges and the kings, whenever the people went astray and worshiped idols, God would judge the nation.  Sometimes He would send locusts or drought or pestilence or plague as judgment of Israel’s sins.  These judgments didn’t only impact the sinners among them; it affected Israel as a nation.  Locusts devoured the crops of the righteous and the unrighteous.  At other times the Lord would send invading armies to chastise Israel.  And again, the sword pierced the faithful and the unfaithful.  (2 Chronicles 6:12-7:22)

This offends our American sense of justice (which is personal and individual) but the Bible is makes it clear that the Lord has, does, and will hold nations accountable for their corporate offenses.  Even the Mosaic Law included regulations and sacrifices for the atonement for corporate sins (Leviticus 4).  The most common form of government during Biblical history was monarchical.  The people didn’t have much say about what went on in the kingdom.  The people were expected to obey the edicts of the king, whether it was right or wrong.  And even so, God held the whole nation accountable not just the power brokers.

The United States is a republic, where the people elect officials to represent them in government.  If God held all the people accountable for the sins of the nation in a monarchy, how much more so will God hold us accountable in this land, where we have much greater influence over the policies and direction of our nation?

You may be a Christian but you are also an American and you cannot separate yourself from it.  We have dual citizenship.  We are citizens of Heaven but we are also citizens of the United States.  For too long, Christians have hidden themselves in the church in an attempt to isolate themselves from society and politics rather than confronting society and changing it.  The condition and direction of this nation is the church’s responsibility and God will hold our feet to the fire.

The truth is the American church will be charged with the national sins of America—along with the rest.  We will not be exempt.  Why?

1.    The church has been commissioned and empowered to change society but we have been derelict in our duty.  Statewide less than 30% of eligible voters voted on the February 2 primary and many of them were Christians.  Voting is one of the most basic responsibilities of our Christian citizenship.  Christians need to be involved in the political process.  We need to vote.  We hold our elected official accountable.  We need to support Christ-minded candidates.  We need to pray for our officials.  Here’s a new concept—CHRISTIANS EVEN NEED TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

 

2.    Christians have supported ungodly politicians and policies.  Not only have Christians be absent in the political process but often we have backed those who propagate unbiblical values.  How many Christians voted for pro-choice candidates?  It would be interesting to know how many voted for President Obama, who has the most pro-abortion voting record ever.  Christians have voted into office people who seek to re-definite marriage; promote and protect homosexuality.  Christians have endorsed politicians who are antagonistic toward the Gospel and any expression of Christianity in public life.

 

3.    Christians receive benefits from the wages of sin.  We send our children to schools that are funded by the profits of gambling.  Many government programs in which we participate are funded by taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.  Our tax dollars are used to fund Planned Parenthood, the National Endowment for the Arts, embryonic stem cell research, ACORN, homosexual tolerance programs in schools and work place, and National Public Radio.  Do you see the hypocrisy?  Do you see why it would not be unjust for Christians to be included in Divine judgment against this nation?

The above are all related to our guilt in regard to the U. S. government but we offend in many other ways as well.  We are connected to our national sins through the entertainment industry and business as well.  We are Americans and we are bound to America’s sins and will face God’s judgment on this nation.

America’s only hope is NATIONAL repentance.  National sin demands national repentance.  Think about Jonah and Nineveh.  Nineveh was spared because the people humbled themselves and repented.  All the people from the king and nobles; to the businessman and slaves repented and God relented (Jonah 2).  The only way to delay or avert God’s judgment is if America humbles herself before the Almighty and repents in the same measure as her sin offends the judge of nations.

It is also obvious that the church must lead the way.  1 Peter 4:17—For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  Since judgment begins with us any hope of national repentance must also start with us.  Without an appropriate response from the church—what hope is there for those who do not know God?

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14.

Pastor Ken

The Shot Heard Around DC?

The Shot Heard Around D.C.?

On April 19, 1775 at the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts, an event occurred that has become known as ‘the shot heard around the world’.  It was on this day that a militia led by Captain Parker confronted British troops and the American Revolution began.  Now the facts of that event are a little less sensational and vague than the heroic stories that are often repeated.

On January 19, 2010, just one year after President Obama’s inauguration, conservative Scott Brown won the Senate seat held by Ted Kennedy for nearly half a century from heavily favored Democrat, Martha Coakley.  It truly was a stunning victory for Brown, especially considering that Democrats outnumber Republicans 3.5 to 1 in the Bay State.  It is truly remarkable.

However, the question remains, will President Obama and Democrats hear this warning shot and retreat or will they continue to march forward with their socialist agenda.  If I am right about President Obama, his motives and his agenda, he will not turn back.  (See previous blog entitled The Man Who Hates America.)  However, other Democrats in Congress may decide to retreat, fearing American voters more than their general.  I hope that President Obama finds himself walking up on Capitol Hill alone.

The voters of Massachusetts did us a big favor.  Certainly, Brown’s election will impede Obamacare, Cap and Trade, and other agenda items.  However, the battle is not finished; not by a long shot.  Need I remind you?  Democrats still control the White House, the Senate, and Congress.  They still have a decisive majority.  The conservatives still cannot completely stop the government’s power grab.  That’s why I’m writing you.  Don’t stop writing, calling, faxing, and emailing your congressmen and senators.  Don’t stop making your voice heard.  And above all, make sure you vote on February 2!

February 2 is just as important at November 2.  Republican leadership also needs to be confronted with their monumental mistake of abandoning traditional, conservative values.  The Republican Party has moved significantly to the left and become decaffeinated democrats and liberals light.  The 2008 election shows what happens when Republicans remake themselves as compassionate conservatives and progressive republicans.

Might I point out a glaring problem in the Illinois senate race?  Mark Kirk, the chosen one by the establishment is not conservative.  He may be leading in the polls and may have the most money backing him but he is not what Illinois needs.  Look at his voting record.

• He supported cap and trade.
• He supported the hate crime legislation.
• He supported ENDA

The only position that resembles conservative values is his position on abortion!  His values more closely reflect that of his democrat challengers.  In fact, his positions are almost identical to Alexi Giannoulias.

Friends, it is important to vote but is more important to vote intelligently.  [To see candidates positions go to: http://www.illinoisfamily.org/ ]   And above all, we must pray for our nation.

Sincerely,

Pastor Ken

What next America?

Pravda debunks America for Becoming Marxist

By JD Sander     

I would have thought the day would never come when Pravda, the official newspaper of Soviet Russia would have anything but scorn and political posturing upholding Communism and decrying US democracy. My days in the military during the 70’s before the Berlin wall fell contained briefing after briefing to counter the political agenda propaganda of Pravda. And of course, Pravda pounded out the Soviet propaganda with just as much or more intensity. Pravda was an informational barrier just as strong but wider and deeper than any wall built of stone. No word other than the “official” sanctioned word of Marxism could escape or be found in the USSR. No story, no news was published other than that which proclaimed the right and might of Marxism. We as Christians know the power of the word, spoken and published, but it is a known maxim that once published, a word takes on a cloak of truth to those that wish to believe even if founded on lies and falsehood. The act of putting pen to paper emboldens the faith that it must be founded on facts and empowers the faithful to action.     

And now from a corner of journalism, known for only conveying Marxist commentary, comes a fresh word that reverses the perspectives of the Cold War. Now Russia seeks to take on the mantel of liberating democracy and portrays the US becoming wrapped in burgeoning socialism. Who would have believed….??

What follows begins a summary of America's present agenda and how it has come to be perceived abroad. It is not a picture we would paint of ourselves, yet we would be ill advised to not consider its implications to where we as a nation are trending. Not only does the following excerpt of the Pravda Editorial paint a sobering picture of oiur governmental actions, but the commentary also portrays our religions as having lost the meaning of our faith. If one studies our American Heritage and the faith of our Founding Fathers, it is evident that this perspective is founded on facts that proclaim an alarming story. Consider what follows in the light of our beginnings and see how far we have fallen. Visit http://www.wallbuilders.com/ for more information on our real American Heritage.

"It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American dissent into Marxism is happening with breathtaking speed, against the backdrop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people….      

First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather than the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas than the drama in D.C. that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonald’s burger or a Burger King burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our “democracy.” Pride blinds the foolish.      

Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different “branches and denominations,” which were for the most part little more than Sunday circuses, and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more than happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the “winning” side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the “winning” side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox churches are scandalously liberalized in America.      

The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past months has been truly impressive. His spending and printing money has been record-setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more than another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic (Germany in the 1930s) and at worst Zimbabwe.      

These past two weeks have been the most breathtaking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses, and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more than ordinary street thugs in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?      

These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bailout after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties, and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more than a whimper to their masters.      

Then came Barack Obama's command that GM's (General Motors) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of "pure" free markets, the American President now has the power, the self-given power, to fire CEOs, and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.      

So it should be no surprise that the American President has followed this up with a “bold” move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantee of automobile policies (guarantees). I am sure that if given the chance they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less than two months ago, warned Obama and U.K.’s Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing, as foolish, drunken Russians, so let our "wise" Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.      

Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper. . .but a “freeman” whimper.      

So, should it be any surprise to discover that the democratically controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulation that would give the American Treasury Department the power to set "fair" maximum salaries, evaluate performance, and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator (actually “Congressman”) Barney Franks . . . and his Marxist enlightenment has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.      

The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.      

The proud American will go down into his slavery without a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker." - Stanislav Mishin           

Pray for our nation and for our leaders to avoid the pitfalls implied here. We need to be a world that tears down walls, not erects them. President Obama is trying to “reset” our relations with countries and religions that have issues with the US, and is causing our allies to question on which side of the wall we now stand and even how far to the left of our moral center we have drifted. Blessed be the peacemakers, but the result must be a just, prevailing peace according to the plan of God above the will of man, else the world will never find a lasting peace.  Peace must be defined above the providence of man else only a temporal peace can be the result.            

Becoming a socialist or government controlled economy such as what resulted with communism would be folly. No country in history has been able to sustain a economy ruled by government that has not cost the country dearly, both financially and in stature as a major economic power. It bankrupts basic humanity and charity while choking both initiative and incentive. EU President Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek blasted the Obama Administration as a “road to hell”, for its plans to spend its way out of the recession that will result instead in undermining the liquidity of the global financial market. Prime Minister Topolanek knew that, “We need to read the history books and the lessons of history and the biggest success of the EU is the refusal to go this way.” 

If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then our road through hell that follows will be paved with grave desperation.               

It has been widely considered in the US that constitutional change is the only way to solve many of our social crisis issues. The foundation of our family, our nation, and our place in the global community are being challenged in ways our Founding Fathers never considered possible. Our country was founded on biblical principles. What makes us think that we can govern without them? Certainly, our Founding Fathers did not. What we must ask of ourselves is where we will stand as Christians in the last days ahead and if we can learn from history.  What we must do is find in ourselves the moral center and faith in God given providence that made America strong. 

 

Sheep and Wolves, Serpents and Doves

Sheep and Wolves, Serpents and Doves

Before Jesus sent out the disciples he warned them about the opposition they would face from ungodly, unbelieving, and unreasonable men.  And Jesus’ warnings to his disciples were never more relevant to us who live in a society who not only has rejected Christ but now becoming more and more antagonistic to those who openly follow him.  You typically don’t hear these stories in the mainstream media but attacks

 

against Christians in America are rapidly becoming more personal, intense, and frequent.  Beloved, we are living as sheep among wolves.

In November of this year, Peter Vadala, a Christian and employee of Brookstone, a store in Boston’s Logan Airport lost his job for expressing his Christian beliefs about homosexuality.  A manager from another shop repeatedly flaunted her impending wedding to another woman, knowing that Peter is a Christian.  Peter did not immediately respond but as his supervisor continued to initiate the topic in an attempt to solicit a response; he did express the Christian view of homosexuality.  A short time later, Peter was contacted by the chain’s human resources department and was fired because his comments were deemed inappropriate, unprofessional, and harassment.

Sacramento City College recently celebrated Constitution Day, an annual school tradition which celebrates the U.S. Constitution and free speech.  This celebration is coordinated by the student council.  Steve Macias, student body president and Christian, was approached by a pro-life group for display space along with other organizations.  Two days into the event, several pro-abortion groups began protesting the display and the school administration removed the display.  Additionally, Steve now faces a recall led by several pro-abortion and atheist groups and could lose his leadership position.

Home Depot fired Florida employee Trevor Keezor for ‘violating the dress code’. Specifically, he wore a pin on his uniform that had “One nation under God, indivisible.” Keezor claims he was wearing the pin for over a year without incident. Home Depot chose to fire Keezor, suspiciously, after he began bringing his Bible to read on breaks.

Stories like these are more and more common.  America is no longer friendly toward Christian values and principles.  Post modern America is becoming more and more antagonistic toward the church and Christians.  We are living as sheep among wolves and must be wise as serpents but innocent as doves.  But I am not suggesting that Christians should be silent just prepared for persecution.

You’ll be hearing more about an initiative called the Manhattan Declaration.  To date, 233,928 Christians and church leaders have signed this call to action.  I am one of them.  Basically, the Manhattan Declaration seeks to unity Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical Christians to defend and protect three principles: (1) Life (2) Sanctity of Marriage (3) Religious Liberty.  The following is an excerpt from the declaration:

We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right—and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation—to speak and act in defense of these truths. We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence. It is our duty to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in its fullness, both in season and out of season. May God help us not to fail in that duty.  (There is a link to the Manhattan Declaration Website on Christian Assembly’s website.)

As I close out this article, I want to tell you about a high school principle from Kingston, TN after the Supreme Court banned prayer before the start of each football game.  Jody Mcloud, principle of Roane County High School delivered this explanation as to why there would be no pregame prayer on September 1, 2000.  This man demonstrates what it means to live as a sheep among wolves.  By the way, this speech cost him his job.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem to honor God and Country.  Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.

As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it an alternate lifestyle, and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity by dispensing condoms and calling it safe sex. If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a viable means of birth control. If someone is offended, it’s no problem.

I can designate a school day as earth day and involve students in activities to religiously worship and praise the goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology.

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional, Christian convictions as simple minded and ignorant and call it enlightenment.

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.

Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone except God and His Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules that they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God, and ask Him in the name of Jesus to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another, and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They pray at the concession stand. And they prayed in the announcer's box. The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - the seat of "justice" in the one nation under God.  Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee, remembered what so many have forgotten.  We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion.

Praise God, His remnant remains.

Pew Versus Pulpit

 Like many of our ancestors, mine were God fearing and stoic in their belief. Reverence and respect were the bywords by which congregations gathered and worshiped. My ancestors in New England in 1659 were a puritan lot, wholly dedicated to the Lord. This is a part of the story of the beginnings of their church in Topsfield, MA, and what relevance it holds for our church today.   

 Topsfield, as so many towns in the Bay Colony, had had its problems with settling a church and obtaining a minister since its inception.  In nearly every town in New England, the church and the minister were the main topics of conversation and at the bottom of many related quarrels.  At the root of colony religious dissension was an ideal that each "congregation would be a little knot of brothers tied together by their common interests...great emphasis was put upon loving one another and peaceableness." 

 This worked out pretty well as planned in the first years of the Colony, but as the second generation came of age and appeared on the scene, members began to split into factions; the majority prevailing even over the minister.  He previously was the one who could get everyone to come together and smooth over the rough patches.  In later times, he could become a polarizing figure in the community.  Even so, most individuals held a "genuine respect for the sacredness of his office and the pre-eminent position accorded to the man of God himself."  

 The Colony ruled that towns were responsible for paying their ministers, plus every citizen was required by law to attend the local church services. This brought politics into religion which was never a good mix.  Setting his salary was the first and foremost item, before he even arrived on the scene.  Setting his salary was one thing and collecting it was quite another; it was usually made up of a small amount of money, the bulk "in kind" (farm produce, bushels of grain, etc.) and his firewood - cut and delivered.  It rarely worked out as promised, and he was forced many times to go to court to collect his wages.  At best, he was forced to farm or perform other secular work to make ends meet for his family.  

 The life of a village preacher was a demanding one.  There were numerous written and unwritten rules for him - he was to tend to his religious duties and study, but he also had to farm or teach to support his family.  He had to deal with the minutest concerns of his parishioners.  "He was expected to be highly educated, set an example of 'holy walking'...and denied the privilege of attending town meetings as he was supposed to be divorced from mere politics."  

 There is some confusion whether Rev. Perkins, (Topsfield’s first preacher) was ever ordained as minister of Topsfield, even though he preached for the congregation there from 1656 to early 1663.  Ordination of a minister in those days was the flock's approval of him and his work among them, but many times it did not occur for several years.  The day of ordination was a day-long celebration and people came from miles around to join all the festivities, albeit sacred.   

"In 1659 (early spring), a notable incident occurred.  Zaccheus Gould is said to have sat down on the end of the table about which the minister and scribe sit, with his hat full on his head and his back toward all the rest. Although spoken to by the minister and others he altered not his posture.  He spoke audibly when the minister was preaching....Zaccheus was presented Mar. 29 (1659) at the Ipswich Court for disturbance in public worship at the time of singing the psalm.  Witnesses against him were the officiating minister, Rev. William Perkins and Isaac Cummings.  Cummings' name appears on various occasions as a complainant against Zaccheus and his son John.  The order of the Court was that the defendant be admonished."  

Zaccheus' actions during that church service may have been the result of 3 years of Perkins' sermons; something said during the service, his mannerisms, or the lack of an uplifting message - Zaccheus had had enough.  Others in the congregation may have felt the same but would never act on it..Information in records and narrative lead us to believe that numerous members in the Bay Colony found their church services becoming "dry" and uninspiring. 

Villages throughout the Colony had problems with their preachers, most showing their disaffection by withholding their ministerial rates, not by disrupting the services with their hats on in the meeting house and their backs to the congregation.  After some reflection following his outburst during the "singing of the psalm", Zaccheus asked for permission to speak to the Congregation after the next service, which was granted him.  They may have expected an apology, but whether they got one or not is unknown.  Apparently what they heard was a talk sympathetic to the Baptists and Quakers* which many did not care to hear, so they walked out on him.  He had done little good for himself that day.   It was not long until Zaccheus Gould was "summoned to Court to answer the complaint of his abusive carriages in the meeting house..." His punishment was admonishment, not a fine.  

Perkins did not please a good number of people (my ancestor Zaccheus Gould a leading detractor) so when "Topsfield  proposed to organize a church 'in regular form', they passed over Mr. Perkins, then 56 years old, and an invitation to preach was extended to Mr. Thomas Gilbert of Charlestown."    "Thomas Gilbert was a Scotsman, born there 1610; his religious education is not listed, but he was a minister at Chedlic and Edling in England." "Gilbert had been a clergyman of the Established Church of England, but ejected from his benefice by the 'Act of Uniformity' in 1662." He then emigrated to New England and settled in Charlestown.  Sometime in early 1663, Topsfield officials approached him and offered the position in Topsfield as their new religious leader, also informing him they were planning to build a new meeting house and a parsonage for him to bring his wife to.  The prickly subject of his salary had to be dealt with early in this meeting, and after spelling out their situation and the fact that neighboring Rowley Villagers were part of the congregation, Gilbert finally agreed to come.  But only if the Topsfield villagers paid his salary, and also the church members who lived in Rowley Village and attended the Topsfield Church.   

"The Rowley Villagers agreed to Rev. Gilbert's request if a meeting house was placed nearer and in a more convenient location for them.....to further accommodate the Villagers, Topsfield voted they shall have the liberty to set up a house to shelter their horses near the new meeting house...and also a rest house to shelter themselves with a fire in it while they contribute to the ministry in Topsfield.".  And so a new meeting house was begun and placed in what is now the older part of Pine Grove Cemetery - the parsonage in a near-by pasture. 

"The new church was gathered and Rev. Gilbert ordained on Nov.4, 1663.In the beginning, Rev Gilbert certainly received the reverence ministers got from their flock in those times; "a hushed silence when in his presence with bows from even the principal men of the town."    The new "church" may have been "gathered" by the time of Gilbert's ordination in early November, 1663, but the new building was probably not finished since the proposal for it was only made shortly before they approached Mr. Gilbert in Charlestown.  Although being the rough, barn-like building most meeting houses were in those days, there is a possibility it could've been enclosed.  

 A good description of a typical house of worship of the late 1600s is aptly described in Water's book, "Ipswich In The Mass. Bay Colony", Vol.I, 1633-1700;..."the meeting house was a very humble structure...built of round logs chinked with clay or moss, or, of logs hewn square and piled blockhouse fashion, it served a double purpose of sanctuary and citadel. Its roof was thatched, no doubt.  At best, it was a roughly boarded and shingled affair."

 Services began at 9 o'clock in the morning on the Sabbath, announced by ringing of the bell or a drummer marching through town, beforehand, alerting worshippers that 9 o'clock was near.  After the morning worship, there was a break - then this procedure began all over again for services at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

 On a Sabbath morning, parishioners approaching the place would see the walls covered with various and assorted notices tacked up - a kind of Puritan Bulletin Board, plus the gross sight of "dead wolf heads" nailed up on the front of the sanctuary" by bounty hunters as proof of their work to secure the moneys paid by the town.  And always there, a copy of the "mandatory church attendance law", and who it covered and warning what the penalty was for absentism.  Only the sick and disabled were exempt.

 As worshippers entered the main door, "there was a central aisle that divided the interior into 2 parts - the men sat on one side and the women, with babies and small children, on the other.  No pews, only benches.  The interior was bare and cheerless.  No plaster nor paint relieved the roughness and rawness of the walls and roof; the pulpit was destitute of any fine finish or coloring, only furnished with the Bible and the Psalm-book and the hour glass which revealed the length of the sermon to every worshipper." The floor was of rough, un-sanded boards, and a few small windows let in such low light, that at times the minister could barely make out the words he read to the congregation.  There was no stove!  No heat in the cold New England winters (members, early on, were allowed to bring their dogs to sit on their feet and keep them warm - later, small foot stoves filled with hot coals brought from home furnished some short relief from the cold.) and in the summer, the place was stifling hot and stuffy.  Two hours every Sunday and one hour each Thursday evening,  one was required to be there, sit, listen, and mull over every word from God's delegate.

 "As they all came in, no 'sweet-toned' organ invited them to worship.  There were instead, the rattle of scabbards, the clank of muskets.  Every one above 18, except the magistrates and ministers....came with his musket or other firearms, duly equipped with match, powder, and bullets." Sentries outside, fully armed, performed guard duty during the services in case of an Indian attack.

 A very formal atmosphere prevailed inside - one could not sit anywhere - each had their place!  Depending on your community status, education, wealth, and age, you were assigned a certain seat.  Later, you could have a more comfortable pew, which you had to build and pay for yourself, and get permission to place it in the sanctuary.  The poorer members and servants sat at the back - the town leaders up front, the Deacon and magistrates sat around a table in front of the  pulpit.  Zaccheus and John Gould paid the highest ministerial rates in Topsfield at this time, and sat up in front, while Sarah Baker Gould and the several Gould children sat on the other side of the meeting house in the place reserved for the wives of those who paid the highest rates and were town leaders.  Sitting on a bench for over an hour with several squirming children and/or a baby in a cold, dreary building may have seemed to women like putting in their time in Hell while still on earth.

 Their belief system consisted of believing in the absolute sovereignty of God, the total depravity of man, and the complete dependence of human beings on divine grace for salvation. They stressed the importance of personal religious experience. This was founded on four convictions: (1) that personal salvation was entirely from God, (2) that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to life, (3) that the church should reflect the express teaching of Scripture, and (4) that society was one unified whole. As God's elect, they had the duty to direct national affairs according to God's will as revealed in the Bible. Those that were accorded this duty were chosen from the church community to be “Saints” which required an oath of allegiance to the church, significant church and community responsibilities, and sustained financial support. This was ordained by a “Moment of Grace”, a telling of one’s story to faith, and selection as one of the “Saints” by the minister.  

Aside from the ordination of “Saint”, the foundations of this early church supports the very cornerstone of our own Christian Assembly of God. In some cases, we are recovering much of the determination and dedication prevalent in those beginning years of our nation. We express the same four convictions and have begun just recently to understand the importance of duty in direct involvement in national affairs. That we are all one people is commonly known. That we can live as one whole and still enjoy a personal religious experience is still being tested every day. Pew and pulpit working together will achieve the greatest good for this land and this generation.                                                                        

Blessed be the name of  the Lord.

The Man Who Hates America

I know that I risk offending many people by writing this editorial or being dismissed as a right-wing, conservative, fanatic; which I am by some definitions.  However, I would prefer to be called an American.  I believe in God and Jesus Christ; life and liberty; that abortion is murder; that people ought to be held accountable for their actions; that there is such a thing as absolutes; that right and wrong are not subjective; that personal freedom is not an excuse for immorality; that strong traditional families is good for children and society at large; that faith and integrity are virtuous; in the rule of law; and that the framers of our constitution meant what they said and said what they meant.  Now that you know where I’m coming from you can see why I have been so frustrated (ticked, torque, and tortured) by the Obama Presidency.

 

As I reflect over the first six months of the Obama Presidency, it seems to me that everything the man has done is contrary to the things I believe, value, and have made America the greatest nation in history.  At first, I thought Barak Obama was uncertain and unclear about his own agenda.  When I learned that he voted present 130 times as an Illinois state senator, my first thought was that he couldn’t make up his mind.  But as I have watched the man, I see that my first assessment is very wrong.  He has an agenda that he is passionate about and believes in mightily.  But until now, his real ambitions have been concealed.

 

At times I have attempted to give President Obama the benefit of the doubt by thinking he might be ignorant or foolish.  Yet again, as I have watched him in action, he truly is an astute politician and stagiest.  The man is brilliant.  You can say many things about the President but stupid is not one of them.  He is a liberal democrat.  Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy; these men are liberal democrats too but Barak Obama supersedes them immensely.  There is no comparison.  These men were politicians and as such acted in ways that they thought would allow them to be re-elected.  Remember how moderate, the liberal Clinton became after the Republicans took congress in 1994?  He read the writing on the wall and adjusted accordingly.  I do not see Barak Obama ever moving off his agenda.  He is liberal but he is not your typical politician.  He is a man on a mission.

 

I believe I know what his mission and motivation is.  I did not come to this conclusion by listening to his words.  Words are never a good measure of who a man is.  I have come to this conclusion by examining his actions.  Jesus said, you will know them by their fruit not their campaign slogans and promises.  Barak Obama has been consistent in all his decisions and actions.  He has a destination and has been methodically toward it.

 

What do the following all have in common?

·         Abortion

·         Homosexuality

·         Drastic cuts in defense funding

·         Anti-Semitism and favoritism for Palestinians

·         Socialized medicine

·         Alliances with labor unions

·         Spending money like a drunken sailor

·         Printing money at unprecedented rates

·         Takeover of General Motors

·         Government bailout of  banks, mortgage companies, and insurance companies

·         Oppressive taxation

·         Proliferation of the Global Warming myth

·         Rapid expansion of Government

·         Appointments of Czars

·         Legislative Judges on the Supreme Court

·         Executive Orders that clearly violate the Constitution

·         Attacks on the liberties protected by the Bill of Rights

·         Disregard for State’s Rights

·         The move towards European socialism and away from Capitalism and Free Enterprise

 

President Obama is methodically attacking everything that has made this nation great.  With his radical support of abortion and gay rights and his opposition of  the DOMA amendment, he is undermining marriage and the traditional family.  Strong traditional families and family values have been the center piece of American life.

 

Americans love cars.  With the hostile government takeover of the American auto industry, he can cut away another distinct American tradition.  Through the myth of global warming and the promise of “energy freedom” he can further reshape America’s love for cars.

 

Through global warming and other environmental issues he seeks to hinder free enterprise and industry in America.  American’s have been the most industrious nation on earth.  Through other government controls, limits, and restrictions he hopes to end capitalism and introduce socialism.  Another hallmark of the American way of life will be destroyed by government.

 

Independence, individualism, personal responsibility, and strong work ethic is being destroyed by government handouts and bailouts.  Government controlled medicine is another attempt to rob Americans of their freedom.

 

FOCA, Fairness Doctrine, new proposals for new gun laws, hate crimes legislation; these have all been an attack on the Bill of Rights.  Nearly every amendment in the bill of rights has been weakened or threatened by President Obama’s policies.

 

State bailouts, not yet a reality and the omnibus spending package is an attempt to gain greater control of the states.  States are already puppets of the federal government.  A strong local government, where the people have a greater say, has been one of America’s strengths.  Individual freedoms are vanishing and state freedoms with them.

 

America’s military superiority is threatened by budget cuts that take defense spending to pre-World War 2 levels.  Our military has not only protected our freedom but has come to the defense of millions around the world.

 

America’s most loyal alley has been Israel in recent years.  But now, our President is more interested in gaining the support of Muslim nations.  Why?  Because he hates America’s Christian faith.  Our support of Israel has been a source of divine blessing and if we continue to trouble Israel, God will trouble us.

 

Why all the spending?  Why all the printing of money?  To devalue the dollar.  Obama no longer wants to be confronted with “In God we trust.”  His policies will bankrupt America.  America will need a bailout.  The world will need a bailout.  America will be independent no more.  The Revolution was fought to secure America’s freedom from a European monarch.  But soon, America will again be ruled by Europe.   America will not be able to stand against attempts to create a global currency or government.

 

Obama hates America.  Her ideals. Her God.  The institutions and principles that has made her great.  Obama wants to eradicate patristic America in preference of a Europe-like; Europe friendly, socialism.  America will never be the same again.

Urgent! Oppose S.909

Urgent! Call US Senators Durbin & Burris to Oppose S.909 - Hate Crimes Bill

H.R. 1913 passed out of Congress on April 29th and will be heard in the U.S. Senate, now being called S.909. It will allow the federal government to prosecute 2 identical crimes differently if one fictim is a homosexual, cross-dresser or has a different gender confusion disorder.

It's Unconstitutional!  The 14th Admendment Guarantees "Equal Protection", NOT "Special Protection".

Christians and pastors in Sweden, England, Canada, and Philadelphia have already been prosecuted under the hate crime laws for expressing disapproval of homosexual behavior and even sharing the Gospel. In some jurisdictions "hate crimes" have been defined as hate speech, intimidations, and verbal assault. This shows contempt for the moral view of millions.

It Infringes on Freedom of Speech and Religion.

Mis California, Carrie Prejean, could have been charged with a "hate crime" for her views on same-sex marriage if S.909 was already law. What couild constitute a "hate crive" under this bill is a homosexual man or woman claiming they were discriminated against and hurt by what was said.

It Punishes Thoughts, NOT Actions.

Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), a judge, claims no matter what proponents of the bill are saying now, no one can predict how it will be interpreted by future courts.

All criminal actions must be vigorously prosecuted. All victims must be treated equally. The U.S. Senate must reject S.909.

Call Senator Durbin 202-224-2152 and Senator Burris 202-2224-2854.

For more information, go to www.illinoisfamily.org or call IFI at 708-781-9328.

 

 

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