The Rant
If you regularly receive my Monday Morning Blogs, you know I tackle relevant issues with a biblical perspective and routinely challenge the body of Christ to bravely take a stand for our faith and beliefs.
Recently, I was expounding on why I think it’s important for churches to open safely and denounce the label of “nonessential.” Some considered it a rant!
I have to admit, at first I felt offended until I came home and looked up the definition of rant: to talk in a noisy, excited, impassioned, or declamatory manner.
That’s definitely me. I write and speak about topics with excited passion. While I was writing this current blog, I saw a dear friend wrote on a Facebook post where I was “ranting,” “Yes you care about important things . . . that’s who you are!!”
It greatly troubles me that big box stores, Home Depot, Walmart, liquor stores are considered safe enough for masses of people to frequent with strangers but churches following strict safety guidelines are not allowed to open with people who know each other!
And even more troubling is that many Christians are continuing to accept the explanation that churches aren’t safe but it’s perfectly fine to risk your life at Costco because your family needs toilet paper.
Then there is the argument that you could pray and watch a sermon online at home. Well, of course we can pray at home. Hopefully, most of us pray all day everyday wherever we are.
But “church” includes more than praying or listening to a sermon; it’s worshipping with the family of God.
Church is the body of Christ serving and encouraging each other and the community. Comforting those who are anxious or troubled. Carrying each other’s burdens. Experiencing the Holy Spirit and singing together. Fellowshipping.
Church is truly more than the building as Jesus gathered at the river many times, but the key word there is that they gathered. Essential for every church as warned in Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (NLT)
If church wasn’t essential for Christians, than why would we ever bother to go when we could just sit home and turn on the computer or TV?! Granted the positive side of experiencing church at home online is that churches found creative ways to also reach many who might not have attended church otherwise. Let’s pray that those online opportunities will continue. But it can never replace attending church services in person.
Another concern is that the majority of churches and Christians initially accepted the designation of church and religious assemblies as nonessential. To me the subtle and not so subtle underlying infringement on our religious freedoms and the ensuing significance is that when we need the church most, it’s deemed irrelevant.
Believe me this will set a precedent if we allow it to continue.
Lest I “rant” and repeat myself, here are blogs I’ve written on these issues.
- Conquering the Unseen Enemy
- Family Faith and Science
- Who Is Your Neighbor? Anyone Who Needs Your Help
- Pray: Don’t Panic!
- Headlines Are Designed to Generate Fear: God Says, “Fear Not!”
- Bridging the Great Divide in Politics and Faith
- #Alone Together
- America Works Together Keeping the Faith
- What Would You Sacrifice for Your Beliefs?
- How is Home Depot More Essential Than God’s Home?
- 5 Powerful Prayers for Peace Amidst Pandemic Fear
The Rave
Last Thursday during my quiet time, I was “ranting” to the Lord about my concern that churches were classified as nonessential. I concluded, “Lord, it’s going to take President Trump to change this. Please let him declare that churches are essential and need to open.”
Later that morning, I was listening to the president talk to reporters on the White House lawn when suddenly he said, “I want to get the churches open. They are not being treated with respect by a lot of the Democrat governors. We’re going to take a strong position on that very soon. Churches are essential!”
Wow!!!!
I was stunned.
I started praising God and I haven’t stopped. Just this morning in church, I shared with the congregation this amazingly quick answer to my prayer. Exactly what I had asked for!
Was the timing of my prayer a coincidence? I don’t think so. The Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for President Trump and maybe he needed intercessory prayer at that moment as he prepared to publically announce his support of churches opening around the nation.
And the Lord wanted to affirm to me that He hears my prayers. God was encouraging me to keep on ranting about the issues He puts on my heart and to give Him all the praise and glory for the progress we’re seeing as the country opens up and churches return to services.
Then the next day, Friday, President Trump formally announced at a White House press conference: “Houses of worship are essential offering essential services. The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now–for this weekend,” Trump said. “If they don’t do it, I will override the governors.”
“In America, we need more prayer not less,” Trump added.
Wow! Victory in Christ. Thank you Lord! Hallelujah!!
So yes, I will keep right on ranting and raving as the Lord leads me and I pray you will also.
But wait, there’s more.
The Primal Scream
Pete Hegseth is a co-host on Fox and Friends and he has a new book out American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free. I haven’t had a chance to read it but here’s a synopsis.
In American Crusade, Pete Hegseth explores whether the election of President Donald J. Trump was sign of a national rebirth, or instead the final act of a nation that has surrendered to Leftists who demand socialism, globalism, secularism, and politically-correct elitism. Can real America still win? And how?
Hegseth is an old-school patriot who is on a mission to do his part to save our Republic. This book celebrates all that America stands for, while motivating and mustering fellow patriots to stand ready to defend — and save — our great country. As he travels around the country talking to American citizens from all walks of life, Hegseth reveals the common wisdom of average Americans — and how ready they are to join the cultural battlefield. Now is that time, and Hegseth has written the playbook.
In addition to Fox and Friends, Hegseth is a Fox News Political analyst and served in the U.S. Army for twelve years–doing tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay; and earning two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Friday’s press conference where the President deemed churches essential took place during Dana Perino’s regularly scheduled FOX program The Daily Briefing. When her program resumed, Dana remarked that, “Hegseth was her timely guest.”
When Dana commented on Pete’s book, he described it as his “primal scream.” Again, I looked up the definition: A release of intense basic frustration, anger, and aggression. An outpouring of raw emotion.”
I identify with Hegseth’s primal scream.
His heart is for Americans not to lose the civic and personal freedoms he fought for while serving the country he loves so dearly.
My heart is for Christians not to forfeit the religious freedoms and liberties our biblical and American forefathers fought to preserve for us. The right to share the Savior we love so dearly with a world under the bondage of sin and Satan.
So yes, I’ll continue passionately ranting, raving, and when necessary, letting out a primal scream for the God and country I love and cherish. How about you?
PS If police officers are in your family, or you know someone who would like to pray for them, here is a blog I wrote for Crosswalk, 4 Prayers to Honor Police Officers.
Opening picture is a sticker by Redbubble.
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