Yes, Virginia, “conservatism” is alive and well when it comes to expression of the same in a republic known as the United States of America!
In spite of claims of “liberal” dominance in many areas of our culture such as mass media, government, business, education, and religion, the professing “conservatives” and “evangelicals” are far from confinement to a muzzled state of existence.
On a daily basis these people are calling (or is it shouting?) for your attention through the avenues of printed materials, radio broadcasts, TV programs, and last, but by no means least, the Internet!
A common thread which binds this group together is the call to embrace those values which are identified as basically Judeo-Christian. As one might expect, if one of those persons in the aforementioned groups gets a little bit too aggressive in advocating what are considered “traditional” values, there usually will be hostile responses from those who hold to a “progressive” approach when it comes to our cultural problems and the solutions of such.
At times the “traditionalists” seem to have some problems with certain of those areas of value such as marriage. One well known and very wealthy talk show host who claims to be strong on family values and very “conservative” on political issues has gone through 3 marriages so far. As he sits in his multi million dollar mansion in Florida his “value system” is weighed in the balances and found wanting in a most critical area.
Likewise a high profile “evangelical” with a large church and a TV ministry experienced failure in marriage. At one point early on he said that he would step down from his ministry if he and his wife came to the parting of their ways. They divorced and he continues in “ministry.”
In spite of all the rhetoric about taking back the country, seeking a new direction for the republic and its citizens, indignantly declaring that we need to take personal responsibility, and hold persons in positions of power and influence accountable for their actions, there has not been a real consistent focus on the issue that is most critical in order for our republic to survive in the future.
Our massive shedding of innocent blood, widespread idolatry, pandemic sexual immorality, toleration of that which God clearly condemns, and the conditioning of our young to pursue destructive lifestyles can do nothing other than bring down the wrath of a holy God upon us!
Unborn Babies Brutally
Mutilated and Murdered
since Roe vs. Wade
January 1973
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While the “evangelicals” and the “conservatives” will speak of many things and tell us how things ought to be, the one word that is too often missing in their vocabulary is the word “repent” and what is absolutely necessary to make it a reality among the 300 million inhabitants of the United States of America. And just what is involved in the experience of "repenting?" It involves three essential ingredients:
The Intellect: one becomes aware in mind of having violated God's holy standards for sane, sensible, and acceptable conduct in all human relationships, activity, conversation, and inner desires. Consciously, one is aware of the reality of sin in its many expressions and that God utterly condemns and punishes it!
The Emotions: one becomes intensely troubled and stirred emotionally about this dilemma -- then regret and remorse sets in -- and in this troubled emotional state one seeks the mercy and forgiveness of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. A simple prayer is expressed -- "God, I admit I am a sinner and have sinned against You in many ways -- I am sorry for this and I ask that you will forgive me. I believe that Jesus died for all my sins on the cross. I now receive you, Jesus, into my life as Savior and Lord. I want to live the rest of my life for your honor and glory and in fulfilling the purpose you have for my life."
The Will: one makes a deliberate decision to turn from sinful practices, involvements, and desires and to seek the will of God on a daily basis -- this involves a 180 degree turn around -- to walk toward God rather than away from Him as has been the daily direction taken in life's experiences!
When was the last time you heard a clarion call that repentance is the urgent need of the hour in this nation -- individually on the part of each citizen and collectively as it pertains to groups such as church, government, communities, corporations, the educational institutions, and a host of various organizations which function in our culture? But really now, who wants to say that most difficult phrase to our Creator and really mean it -- "God, I'm (we're) sorry for......!"
If Almighty God’s call for total repentance is not heeded very soon, our nation will most certainly take its place among the ruins of numerous cultures of the past which were deceived into thinking they could defy the Creator of this mighty universe and get away with it. The pattern started a long time ago with a generation living at the time of a man by the name of Noah!
"Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live? But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"-- Ezekiel 18:23-32
A Significant Selah Moment!
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? even cry out to You, "Violence!"
And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For
plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore
the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous;
therefore perverse judgment proceeds.
Habakkuk 1:2-2 (NKJV)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness....
It is time for You to act, O LORD, for they have regarded Your law as void. Therefore I
love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts
concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.
Romans 1:18; Psalm 119:126-128 NKJV
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January 13, 2007
Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection
Western PA Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
and presently pastor of
Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Gipsy, PA
AND Non-Affiliated registered voter, Cambria Co. PA
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