 Pastor's Update We have seen and heard many reminders of that shocking day, September 11, 2001, when the unthinkable happened. Thousands of lives were taken as our country was attacked without a so-called military attack. Starting on Monday of this week, many of the radio talk shows asked the question, “Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news?” I can easily answer that question. I was driving my car to a pastors meeting that morning and can remember almost exactly where I was along that drive when the news came on the radio. Yes, it was shocking, and I will never forget it as long as I live. My wife teaches 4th and 5th grade in a Christian School. The School had a prayer and devotional time with the elementary students, many of whom were just infants or toddlers on that day. She wondered if this anniversary would mean anything to them. I checked with the Christian High School and they also had a short memorial/ devotion. The students did remember five years ago and recalled where they were when they heard the terrible news. Here in Maine, many public schools barely gave it honorable mention. On the talk show I heard one man, who called in, describing the event in shocking detail. At the time, he worked in New York City. What he said sounded more like the storyline of a horror movie. As you know there were a couple of TV programs aired last Sunday evening. One of them, "The Path to 9/11", was shown on ABC. It was made by David Cunningham, son of YWAM founder Loren Cunningham. As I understand it, due to pressure by the former Clinton administration, it was edited by ABC before airing. No surprise there. Perhaps you have read some articles regarding the event. I have, and am providing some links to those articles that you may find beneficial. One is from Charles Colson’s Monday edition of Breakpoint. Chuck says, “…many of us in the West still don't understand what we're up against.” He goes on to explain “The failure to understand the threat stems, in part, from the West's own loss of faith. For many of us, religion is something we do -- or don't do -- depending on how it makes us feel. We don't look to religion to tell us how we should live our lives, and, thus, we fail to understand how religion, and the worldview it inspires, might affect other people.” You can read the entire article by going [HERE] There was also an article in the Monday edition of Townhall.com by Alan Sears entitled, “Five years after 9/11, the ACLU considers Christians the terrorists.” Sears refers to remarks made by Joe Cook, director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Here is one of Cooks quotes: “They [the Christians] have always crossed the line of separation of church and government. They believe they answer to a higher power, in my opinion… which is the kind of thinking you had with the people who flew airplanes in the buildings in this country.” It is so very important that as spiritual leaders in the Kingdom of God, we help our people understand the times we live in. Our call goes far beyond the walls of our church, beyond the streets in our neighborhoods. The call is to take the message of Christian Faith into the marketplace of ideas. It takes us to the places where the public conversation about morality and right and wrong is happening. Where might that be? It’s in the arena where the conversation about public policy always takes place -- in the political arena. For starters, we can ask the right questions of those currently running for office. The League has created a 15 point questionnaire for candidates running for office this November. It is an easy tool people can use when meeting candidates. Copies are available on the Leagues web site or I can mail you a master. Just let me know. Christians must support those candidates who represent Christian values. We should encourage our people to become informed BEFORE they vote. Then there is that thing I often speak of: the support of the League. I am asking individuals and churches to support the League. The League does the hard work of influencing lawmakers -- work that most people don’t have the stomach for. That work is extremely important. The State of Maine has seen the positive result of that Biblical witness. The League can’t do the job without adequate resources. Individuals can send regular offerings to the League and churches can support the League as a local mission with regular support. Please feel free to contact me if your church is interested in getting more information about including the League in your missions budget. It would be a fantastic help at this time. Lastly, I want to inform you that the League has just launched its online voters guide. It is easy to use and can be accessed by going the League’s website. Once you are there, click on “Search for candidates”. They are listed by town in alphabetical order so the inquirer can easily locate their candidate. The information on that candidate can be printed for anyone interested. Some churches print out the information for the candidates that represent all the towns where their congregation lives.
Please accept my invitation to attend the Civic League's annual banquet at the Senator Inn, Augusta, Friday, Oct. 6th, at 5:30 PM. Besides a wonderful meal and warm Christian fellowship, you will be inspired and challenged by the presentations of two speakers, Rev. Sandy Williams, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Freeport, and Coach Dave Daubenmire of "Pass The Salt" ministries. They will each make a presentation on the subject, "Is this a Christian nation? Two Perspectives." Your church or ministry can also be a table sponsor for the event. The Evangelical pastors group in my area is going together and sponsoring a table with each church contributing a little. Perhaps your pastors group would consider doing the same. For more information click HERE. You will also want to click on Coach Daubenmire's web site and listen to a podcast of his radio show. © Copyright by Christian Civic League of Maine. All rights reserved. |