The RECORD

By Rev. Dallas E. Henry

Mark 8:31-38

At times God becomes angry with His creation and feels the need to chastise us. God has gone so far as to completely annihilate the whole earth, or has destroyed complete cities for their wickedness. Because of our self-preserving desire not to be punished, we are easily offended when God's Word reprimands us.

But why should we take offense at a God who loves us as much as our God does, even to the point that His only Son was crucified for our sake? Does God not have the right to be offensive if He so desires? Should we not be ready to accept these offenses as disciplinary measures from a loving Father? "He called the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, 'If any want to become My followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.'" As one reads and rereads this particular verse, it would be good to pray extensively over how it applies personally and also, to each member of Christ's Holy Church.

The questions each believer must ask is:

Am I willing to deny myself for the work of Jesus?
What may I be called to do that will require me to deny myself?
Just what does "denying myself" mean?

First, we must decide the meaning of "denying myself." Perhaps Jesus is telling us that we must be willing to do things that would remove us far from our comfort zones in order to fulfill His wishes. Each of us has an area around us in which we feel comfortable. We are all too aware of some of the things that are occurring around us but do not directly affect us, so we purposely ignore them. Instead of standing up and doing something, we will put our blinders on and pretend it is not there. That is the exact purpose of blinders.

In the days of horse-drawn wagons, occasionally one would get a horse or mule that was easily frightened, especially by sudden movement in its peripheral vision. To keep the animal from bolting at the slightest provocation, the owner would put blinders around the eyes, in effect giving the animal tunnel vision so it could not see to the sides. The blinders did not stop movement from occurring; it only fooled the horse or mule into thinking everything was all right.

The Church today seems to be increasingly wearing blinders, to the point that all we are capable of seeing is that which we wish to see and nothing else. If there is a problem involving a controversial issue, then the blinders come out, and the problem is hidden. This is far from what Jesus had in mind when He said, "let them deny themselves."

Dare we presume to speak what was on Jesus mind? If we become familiar with the whole of Scripture, and study the life and ministry of Jesus, we are able, in some circumstances, to understand exactly what Jesus was thinking about on a certain subject. Today is one of those times. I believe that Jesus expects us to give up whatever may be necessary, no matter the cost to us financially or emotionally, in order to follow His lead and achieve the Kingdom of Heaven.

We have to be ready to step into an arena that is far away from where we feel comfortable and boldly proclaim the truth of God's Word to any who will listen. We have to be ready to be ridiculed, called vindictive names, cursed, and maybe even physically assaulted, all for our beliefs in the truth of God's Word. This is when most of our discomfort comes about, and we feel like hiding. Just ask Michael Heath. It is only when we stand our ground and depend on God's strength to allow ourselves to be persecuted that we are truly "denying ourselves" for the love of Jesus. This is when we grasp of the meaning of "denying myself."

Then there is another phrase that is just as scathing "take up their cross." In Rome a prisoner carried his own cross to the place of execution, signifying submission to Rome's power. Jesus uses this imagery of carrying our cross to illustrate the ultimate submission required for us to follow Him. We know that Jesus is not against us enjoying our lives, nor is He saying that we have to suffer pain to follow Him. All He is asking for is total submission to His will in our lives.

Now, the questions must be:

What is our cross to bear?
Are we adequately prepared to carry this burden?
Where will we lay down this cross? And finally,
When will the journey end?

Each of us may have a different cross to bear; however, we will also share some of the same burdens. Yet no matter the type of burden, each one will eventually bring us to the feet of Jesus. It is at this point that Jesus will pick up the load and help us carry it because, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

Our journey will end when Jesus tells us it is time for it to end. We should not expect many of these journeys to end during our lifetime here on earth. Humankind is very wicked; if by chance one particular form of sin were eradicated, then our perverse thinking would devise another even more absurd and horrible one. One factor that makes these journeys so long and tiring is the complacency of the Church.

Over the past couple of centuries, for the most part, the Church as a whole, has moved slowly and methodically to the point where it no longer serves the God of Heaven, but instead now serves as the god of the people. The Church is afraid to stand up, be counted, and allow its voice be heard to contradict the evil that is so incessantly permeating our culture. Jesus tells us, "Those who are ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."[Mark 8:38]

Regrettably, there will be some good, upstanding, church-going Christians who may be turned away from the gates of heaven, simply because they were ashamed to let it be known that they are Christians. I remember Dr. J. James Kennedy stating that he believes the most regrettable words that anyone could ever hear are "Depart from Me; I never knew you." Each of us needs to prepare to meet Him by living a lifestyle that corresponds to how we believe Jesus lived; that is, one of faith and seeking God's will with every breath we take.

An ordained elder in a United Methodist Church somewhere in Washington State went to her bishop and told him that she was living in a partnered, covenanted, homosexual relationship with another woman and their son. The bishop questioned her further and determined that she was in violation of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church; which forbids an avowed homosexual to be ordained or appointed to a church as minister. The minister was placed on administrative leave while her case was appealed to the Council of Bishops. Their determination was that this minister was not in violation of the Discipline and she was reinstated. She is now seeking an appointment within the United Methodist Church somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.

Then there was another news story that concerned a Presbyterian Church, USA -- ordained minister who had also admitted that he was a practicing homosexual. Again the Presiding Elder followed the established procedure of the PCUSA and brought charges against this minister. The Supreme Court of the PCUSA determined that "even though the minister admitted to living with and sharing his bed with another man, there is insufficient evidence that his lifestyle is either immoral or potentially damaging to the good will of the church." (paraphrased)

Recently, one of the major organizations in Judaism is discussing the merits of the relevancy of Old Testament Scripture as it pertains to sexual orientation. Some of these rabbis believe that portions of the Scripture should be removed or revised. Being Jewish, they place little stock in the words of Jesus. Jesus said, "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished." [Luke 21:32-33]

These are only three examples of recent events within major denominations that not only violate their own laws, but also the laws of the very God that they profess to be serving.

The cross that we have claim to have picked up will demand that we speak the truth in love as it applies to the claims of the idea that the homosexual lifestyle is nothing more than an alternative lifestyle. An "alternative" lifestyle is living in an apartment rather than a house, of drinking bottled water over tap water, or riding a bus rather than driving. There is nothing alternative about two men or two women being together as God tells us only a man and a woman should be with each other.

Whenever we say things like this, we are labeled "homophobes", or something just as derogatory. And we should ask why it is, that when we voice the truth based upon our Biblical beliefs we are labeled with derisive names, whereas, when someone else decries their beliefs, they are only voicing their freedom of speech? Every leader in God's Kingdom is interested in protecting people's rights to free speech, but we also must proclaim that street runs in both directions.

We frequently hear that we must be tolerant toward other sexual orientations. Was God tolerant when He destroyed Sodom? Is God tolerant when He says that homosexuality is an abomination and a sin? Why do we sit back and let society teach our children that homosexuality is normal and acceptable?

We must take up our Cross and stand for the truth of the Gospel. We must remember the Bible verses that say, "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea." [Mark 9:42] Does this sound like tolerance? We absolutely must protect our children at all costs and not allow anyone to cause them to sin.

The question for each and every believer is: What cross are you willing to bear today? Christ said of Himself, "the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes..." Are we ready to deny ourselves and live that lifestyle of Jesus? He is more than willing to help us carry our cross.

The Christian Civic League of Maine has in essence, taken up the Cross of Christ, told the truth of God's word as it applies to human sexuality and the family. The League is very familiar with ridicule and remains firmily committed to stand true to God's word and not compromise. Will you and/or your church or organization join in the group that is signing up for the 500-50-5 progam ? This will greatly help the League out enabling us to be even more effective.

LD 779: An Act To Remove Clergy as Signatories on Marriage Licenses
A Portland, Maine State Representative has submitted legislation this session that would remove all of Maine's ordained or licensed minister(s) of the Gospel from the state statute that currently allows them to solemnize marriages. If passed, Rep. Boyd Marley's (D. Portland) bill would allow only judges, lawyers, and notaries public to validate marriages in Maine.

In an online news article by Victoria Wallack, Rep. Marley stated that he submitted the legislation at the request of a Congregational minister in his legislative district, Rev. Mark Rustin. Rev. Rustin has been leading the North Deering Congregational Church in Portland since 1987. He is an active Freemason and a racecar enthusiast.

Regarding his motivation for the request, Rev. Rustin stated, "Being agents of the state isn't an appropriate place for (religious leaders) to be." According to the news article Rustin states he has never done a homosexual marriage ceremony, but if his North Deering congregation wanted him to, he would bless the union of a homosexual couple.

"If, and when, a gay couple comes to me and says, 'We want to be married,' at that juncture I would go to my congregation and ask, 'What say ye'"? Rev. Rustin was reported to say.

Rev. Paul Nielsen, who leads the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (LCMS) in Waterville, disagrees. "I think that Rev. Rustin is at least a little bit confused about what his role in the marriage rite is from a civil perspective," said Rev. Nielsen. "I'm not sure why the state would have any interest in disqualifying clergy as one of the qualified witnesses to a marriage."

Pastor Nielsen explains, "Currently the state of Maine only asks the clergy to sign the wedding certificate as indication that the wedding actually took place. I don't think that clergy are acting as agents for the state of Maine."

Dr. Philip Watkins, who advises the Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Maine at Augusta, agrees with Pastor Nielsen's assessment. He calls this legislative bill "a waste of time" and notes that it is indicative of the increasing secularization of our culture.

Dr. Watkins notes that religious leaders in Maine are currently not required to solemnize marriages nor to sign marriage certificates. He says that people like Rev. Rustin can simply opt not to sign marriage certificates if they are concerned about the perception of being an "agent of the state." Dr. Watkins flatly rejects Rev. Rustin's rationale for requesting Rep. Marley submit this legislation.

Legislative Document (LD) 779 would specifically amend Sec. 1. 19-A MRSA, Paragraph 655, Sub-paragraph 1 by striking the words An ordained minister of the Gospel, a person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary, or ecclesiastical body, and an ordained or licensed minister of the Gospel from the state statute that authorizes persons to solemnize marriages.

LD 779 was referred to the Maine Legislature's Judiciary Committee on February 15, but has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing .

By Michael Heath

The League received a six page letter from a Rockland man alleging crimes a number of weeks ago. We asked our attorney for counsel on the matter. He read the letter from Adam Flanders and advised that we make the letter public and turn it over to the police. The letter had already been made public by Mr. Flanders. He sent it to the Bureau of Health before he sent it to us.

Our motive was pure. We are concerned for the well-being of young people, and citizens in Maine. We didn't know whether the claims in the letter were true or not. We invited the police to investigate, and we felt that the public had a right to know about what was going on at the group "Out as I want to be." Flanders was a leader of the group and was, therefore, a credible witness. We weren't going to let this matter be swept under the rug.

While leading the group a year or so ago, Flanders launched a vicious attack on the League Executive Director's wife, Paulie. He manipulated a digital image of Paulie to make her look like Satan, and he posted it on a page at Amazon.com that advertised her music CDs.

On February 11th, Flanders stabbed two people at an Orange Street residence in Rockland. Stephen Betts, editor of the Courier-Gazette, announced that Flanders was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of criminal mischief. Betts wrote a stinging editorial against the League two days after the stabbings, but waited until the arrest to write about the stabbings.

Here is the timeline:

Early January -- Flanders makes allegations of sexual abuse by "Out as I want to be" public by sending a six page letter to the Bureau of Health. The press chooses to ignore the allegations. According to Betts, the Courier-Gazette only reports on allegations against public officials prior to arrest, not private citizens.

February 11th -- Flanders stabs two people, who are briefly hospitalized.

February 14th -- Stephen Betts, the editor of the Courier-Gazette writes a scathing editorial accusing the Christian Civic League of Maine of being a hate group.

February 20th -- Betts publishes a news story about the Flanders arrest just hours after it occurs.

The Betts editorial belittles the accusations by Flanders. Betts writes, "If a single individual were to walk in off the street and start making serious claims against another person we would not publish those allegations without something more substantial to report." Flanders was not, however, simply an individual off the street. He was an organizer and a leader of the homosexual youth group "Out as I want to be." It was news that he sent a six page letter containing serious and detailed allegations to the Bureau of Health. Betts could have covered the story without naming the individuals who Flanders named in his public six page letter. Betts chose not to. That is his right.

The League doesn't know whether the Flanders allegations are true or not. According to Betts, the Rockland Police have not filed any charges in connection with the Flanders allegations. We don't know whether the investigation is still open.

What we do know is that none of this is surprising. We expect nothing less from a society that appears hell-bent on calling Christians "haters" while creating space for adults to help teenagers become "out as they want to be."

Maybe Adam's antics are a wake up call for homosexual activists and their supporters. The League suspects that stabbing people over homosexual "love" probably isn't what they mean by coming "Out."

By Rev. Dallas E. Henry

1 Chronicles 11:12-14
"Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory."

How do we as Christians respond to this story as we consider the resistance to morality and purposes of God by our culture?

What this verse speaks of is David and Eleazar holding onto a barley field against an onslaught of Philistine troops. The easiest thing for them to have done was to have retreated, but they were determined not to give any ground to the enemy. We are to express our opposition to anything that is contrary to Scripture! And this is what God is calling us to do as believers.

We should not jump ship, but hold fast to our convictions and defend Biblical truth. We should not let those representing a few, drive us to compromise through silence on moral issues facing the Church.

The following familiar story about a Civil War battle illustrates the crisis we face in our society today and how important it is for us as followers of Jesus to hold fast to the high ground of Biblical principles.

America experienced its greatest crisis as a nation during the Civil War. Indeed, to many by the summer of 1863, it seemed that the Union would fall apart.

The fate of the Union and the fate of the war rested in a confrontation between Union and Confederate forces at a Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg. One of the most crucial points of the battle occurred on the second day, when Union forces were attempting to defend their positions along the high ground at Cemetery Ridge. Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and his 20th Maine Regiment were ordered to defend a strategic point on the ridge known as Little Round Top. The regiment was placed on the extreme left flank of the Union Army.

On positioning Chamberlain and the 20th Maine, Colonel Strong Vincent wanted to make sure Chamberlain understood his responsibility, and that of his men: "I place you here! This is the left of the Union line. You understand. You are to hold this ground at all costs!"

The 20th Maine became engaged in a fierce battle with the attacking Confederate forces and suffered heavy casualties. At one point the Confederates threatened to get around the 20th's left flank. If they had succeeded, the Confederate Army would have been able to have attacked the Brigade's rear. This would have cost the Union army the battle and possibly the war.

Chamberlain ordered his officers to stand firm in holding the front and to cover their rear. Chamberlain's forces were almost out of ammunition. Their situation was desperate, but retreat was not an option.

If they lost the high ground, they would lose the battle. So Chamberlain did what many would think crazy; he ordered a bayonet charge. It was bold because many of his men charging had no ammunition left in their rifles. Chamberlain later described the event: "The men turned towards me. One word was enough--'BAYONET!'--it caught like fire, and swept along the ranks. The men took it up with a shout..." The result was that the charging 200 men of the 20th Maine captured 400 Rebel prisoners.

Many of these Union soldiers had little or no ammunition in their muskets. The point of this account is that the soldiers of the 20th Maine refused to give up the high ground. They didn't retreat--they advanced. They knew that victory would be lost if they gave up the high ground. For his actions, Chamberlain was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

We, as believers, need to hold fast to our convictions. We need to be steadfast in holding the high ground of truth left to us by the apostles and early Church fathers.

We cannot allow the enemy to flank us.
We cannot retreat.
We cannot give up our heritage.
We must remain committed to advancing the Kingdom of God in our state and in the world.

So how do we hold our ground? One way is to return to our first love.

Revelation 2:3-5 "You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place." (NIV)

Most Evangelical Denominations came out of a great revival. We desperately need to feel the heat of the fire of God again. We need that flame to consume us so that others around us will see it and feel the heat of that flame! As local churches and individuals, we need to seek the presence of God again!

A shining example of a seeker that God blessed was John Wesley. You may be aware of the story. Wesley had grown up in a fine Christian home and answered the call to ministry. He was ordained an Anglican priest in 1728. It was 1735 and John Wesley was going to America on a missionary endeavor in Georgia. It was his experience during the voyage to America on board the Simmonds that was to have a profound affect on his life. While crossing the Atlantic there was a ferocious storm, during which Wesley began to fear for his life. He claimed later he was "much ashamed of my unwillingness to die."

During the storm, however, he noticed the behavior of 26 German Moravians who were among his fellow passengers. Even during the worst of the storm, they serenely continued in prayer and praise to God, quite unlike their "crying, trembling neighbors," Wesley later testified. They seemed to have something he didn't have. They had a deeper assurance and experience with God that he wanted. There was a storm raging around them, but they had peace in the storm. Their bodies may have been in peril, but they knew their souls were in a refuge that no storm could touch.

When Wesley returned to London, he began to attend Moravian meetings there. It was at a place located on Aldersgate Street in London on Wednesday May 24, 1738 that John Wesley's heart was "strangely warmed." This experience with God changed his life. Many know the rest of the story.

In 1904 in a church service in Blaenanerch, Wales, a young man named Evan Roberts cried out: "Bend me! Bend me! Bend us!" He didn't just desire for God to change him, he was desperate for God to change him! He was on his knees, tears flowing, desperately crying out for God to change his heart. He wasn't an unbeliever praying, he was a Christian desperate for God!

When Christians get desperate for God, revival happens! It isn't enough that Christians merely desire for God to change their lives for revival to happen, they have to get desperate! Every believer needs to decide if they simply desire revival in their life and in their church or if they are desperate for it.

God heard Roberts prayer. God used this young man to send a sweeping revival throughout Wales. God eventually sent him back to his home church where he started a youth service. Meetings that started around seven lasted until midnight with young people crying out for the presence of God. Meetings eventually lasted until 3 a.m. with people crying out for revival. People started flooding the prayer meetings. Revival broke out throughout Wales. It was such an awesome revival that the donkeys stopped working in the Welsh mines. These animals were so used to being ordered by cursing miners that they didn't know what to do when many of these miners got saved and their language changed. The revival even spread to many churches in England. It started with the cry of one young man: "Bend me!" Roberts once said: "Bend the church and save the world." Just imagine what would happen if Christians got desperate for a move of God? Revival would happen!

There is something about being desperate. People who are desperate give priority to that which they are desperate for. When ever we read the history of the great revival movements, it always started with a man who was desperate for change in his life. It wasn't enough for these men to exist for God. It wasn't enough for them to just live for God. They wanted to burn for God!

We need to return to our first love and we need to:

Pray - Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

"If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith."-- Martin Luther

"What the Church needs today is not more machinery, not a new organization or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use--men of prayer, men mighty in prayer."-- E.M.Bounds

John Knox, the father of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, was a great man of prayer. While on his deathbed, he said to his wife: "Read me that Scripture where I first cast my anchor."

Upon hearing the prayer of Christ in John 17, Knox forgot his illness. He began to cry out to God, praying for his fellow believers. He interceded for the lost. He asked God to strengthen those who had recently received Christ. As he prayed, his spirit departed. About John Knox, Mary the Queen of Scotland said: "I fear John Knox's prayers more than an army of ten thousand men."

Not only do we need to return to our first love and pray, we must remain active in sharing our faith. Philemon 1:6 "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."

Even as this crisis of immorality in our society continues, we must remain active in sharing the love of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. This is what United Methodism was about in the beginning when John Wesley preached in the fields of England.

We must "dig in" to the Word of God. When the armies fought in World War I they dug themselves trenches. We dig ourselves into the Word of God to defend ourselves against the onslaught of the enemy. We also use the Word to stave off the attacks of the enemy.

Consider the words of the Apostle Peter as recorded in 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

God is calling us to revival! Let this depraved culture serve as a call to arms--arms raised to God in prayer and the Word! He is calling us to fervently intercede and to hold the higher ground. We can have the flame back in the Church if we would only call upon the name of the Lord. With a revived, on-fire Church, nothing can stop us from changing our culture!

The Christian Civic League is passionate about being a strong Christian witness in the public arena. The League is an extension of the church to be a witness in the State House. With your support, the League is making an impressive impact. The League is well respected for our unwavering witness to Biblical morality in Augusta and around the state. You might say that The Christian Civic League of Maine is the Church's Missionary to the Maine State Legislature.

This is your invitation to join other churches in Maine who are becoming part of the 500-50-5 program. For more information feel free to call the League office at (207) 622-7634; Ext. 1

The League was viciously libeled by a Maine newspaper this week. The editor of the Rockland-based Courier-Gazette, Stephen Betts, authored a column entitled "Not Christian, nor Civic." Betts called the League a hate group. He wrote, "The League's main mission seems to be to create hate and discontent in its communities. This is neither Christ-like nor civic minded." Betts can be reached by email at sbetts@courierpub.com

"This editorial is so laughable a serious response would only give it more dignity than it deserves," said League Director Michael Heath. "That he published it on St. Valentine's Day is sad, really. Betts needs to look in the mirror, and when's he's done perhaps he could start doing real journalism."

The editorial is a justification for not reporting serious allegations about wrongdoing in a group called "Out as I want to be." This group exists to create relationships between adults and teens for the purpose of deepening mutual commitments to sexual promiscuity. A former leader has made serious criminal charges public regarding the group. The charges are being investigated by local police, while they are being ignored by the press.

Here is the Betts column:

The Christian Civic League of Maine is certainly in a league of its own.

The organization is known statewide for leading the opposition to civil rights for gay people. Its efforts worked until November 2005, when Maine citizens rejected the referendum that would have repealed a civil rights law approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor.

The Christian Civic League has issued many proclamations that border on hate. Once they encouraged people to publicly oust legislators who supported gay rights. The organization later apologized for that action.

But the group has not learned its lesson.

Last month, the league sent a news release to media organizations across the state noting that it had received a letter from an individual who accused a pro gay rights group of being pedophiles. In an effort to prove that the allegations were true, the Civic League pointed out that the letter had been sent to the Augusta Police Department and was given a complaint number. That complaint was then forwarded to Rockland police because the allegations included claims of illegal conduct in the city.

A week later, the Civic League issued another news release titled, Pedophilia Allegations Remain Unreported. The group said that Maine newspapers, including The Courier-Gazette, had not reported on the claims.

The league has that right.

The [Rockland Courier-Gazette] newspaper generally will not report on allegations of criminal behavior until an arrest is made or criminal charges filed. The newspaper holds public officials to a higher standard, so if an allegation is made against a government employee or elected official we might report on the matter, if we find some grounds for the claims.

But if a single individual were to walk in off the street and start making serious claims against another person, we would not publish those allegations without something more substantial to report. Anyone can walk into a police station and make an allegation. This doesn't make it true.

The newspaper relies on its police agencies to investigate. Only if we felt a cover-up were occurring would be begin our own investigation into a criminal matter that involved private individuals.

The league, however, was hoping that the media would splash these allegations across our front pages with no evidence other than one letter from an individual.

The league's main mission seems to be to create hate and discontent in its communities. This is neither Christ-like nor civic minded.

Stephen Betts is editor.