With my burden for our beloved land increasing, I've decided to channel my fear and anger into godly action. You see, a good Christian is also a good citizen according to Romans 13, and that's what I endeavor to be.
So, Saturday, I participated with eight other Roanokers to canvas neighborhoods on behalf of the Republican candidates: Bob McDonnell for Governor, Bill Bolling for Lt. Gov., and Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General. There are also many others running for various offices, including House of Delegates, one of whom is Bill Cleaveland for the 17th District. I am especially pleased with this since his son, Will, was my very first creative writing student back in the fall of 2006. These are good men who stand for biblical principles.
I am convinced and have been for many years that Christians need to stand up and fight for the principles upon which this great land was founded. As Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, once wrote, "If the enemy can destroy the Christian's passion for America, then he has won the major battle for the soul of this nation." It doesn't take a second look by a thoughtful person to realize that that is exactly what has happened. Swept up in the comforts and blessings that America affords, we have forgotten the God who bestowed those blessings. Our lights have dimmed because, we too, have bought into many of the culture's lies without even realizing it. God says in Hosea 13:6 concerning Israel, "When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me." Chilling how well this represents us as American Christians. We are fat and lazy with God's blessings.
Our founding fathers understood that America would only be as great as her reliance upon the one and only true God. Morality rested upon religion as the foundation of the Republic. Without this, they knew we did not stand a chance of survival.
In his farewell address, Sept. 17, 1796, George Washington wrote, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports . . . In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens . . ."
In a letter of June 21, 1776, John Adams wrote, "Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand."
Furthermore, Samuel Adams wrote in 1778, "Religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness."
On the list goes. Even Benjamin Franklin, the least religious person of the pack, wrote in 1787, "...only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."
As I look at America today, I tremble at the reality of their words. I know I must trust an all-wise heavenly Father, for He alone is Savior. But I must also put feet to my faith. A righteous stand for the sacred principles that bless the heart of God is in order. This I must do.
I must REMEMBER, REPENT, RETURN. Over and over again in the Old Testament, the Lord admonishes the Israelites to remember where He brought them from, how He had delivered them, how He had blessed them. They were exhorted to pass the stories of God's faithfulness down to their children, and their children's children, so that they will not forget. This "passing the baton of faith" is vital to a nation's security. God was trying to protect His people, and He longs to protect us, if we will listen and follow His guidelines.
The memorial stones of our Christian heritage are written all over Washington DC, if we will but look. Etched in nearly every building are biblical references.
Oh, how we must be lights in this generation! Darkness does not overtake light; light overtakes darkness. Let us rise up and be the lights God intends us to be, for His glory and the propagation of the gospel in this land and overseas.
(Quotes taken from THE TRUTH PROJECT/Focus on the Family, Del Tackett, 2006)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Family Table
(c)2008 Eileen Rife
While I sat at the kitchen table sipping tea during my morning devotions, I was distracted by the dents, stains, and scratches on the wooden surface. My mind traveled to Sams Wholesale Club where only days ago I had admired a brand new contemporary-style oak table and chairs that would look grand in my eat-in kitchen. I sighed and forced my attention back to my Scripture reading. We weren’t in a financial position to spend money on furniture. Maybe I could just refinish the surface.
As I read Deuteronomy, chapter six, I lingered on verses 5-9: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
A sudden warm awareness washed over me. This wooden table passed down to our family from my husband’s mother played a vital role in fulfilling the admonition of this Scripture. How often we had gathered around it to participate in family devotions. When the girls were little, they would color pictures to illustrate the Bible reading for that day. While I tried my best to scrub stray marks from Grandma’s maple drop-leaf table, I could never completely eliminate the stains. I remembered other occasions when we would roll out dough and cut out Christmas ornaments to attach to gifts or give to neighbors. Some of those cookie-cutter marks still stated their presence on Grandma’s hand-me-down table. When we raised money to go to India on a family mission trip, we crafted wreaths and candy trains to sell. The table still bore glue gun and wire marks. Home school science experiments gone amuck also plagued the table top.
Now immersed in my reminiscence, I leaned in to scrutinize the surface. Sure enough, there were glass rings from company we’d invited in over the years, some of whom were unsaved family members, friends, and work associates. Then I zeroed in on my husband’s place at the table. Just that morning, he had set his oatmeal bowl on one of the Christmas cards we had saved so that we could pray for the sender. When I picked up the card, I noticed part of the back was stuck to the table. Grabbing the dishrag, I scrubbed at the spot. While the paper easily dislodged, the ink from the backing remained indelibly imprinted on the maple surface. I smiled, no longer troubled by my splotched and marred table, but warmed by the realization that this family heirloom had hosted many a stranger, hurting soul, and our own children who are now faithfully serving the Lord around the world with our grandchildren.
I sat back down at the table and ran my hand over Deuteronomy, chapter six. I chuckled as I realized that we had fulfilled the Lord’s admonition to write down His commands, maybe not on the doorframes of our house, but on our kitchen table. Our love for the Lord was etched all over its surface and I had never stopped to appreciate it. But you know, if I have anything to say about it, this table that expands to accommodate twelve people comfortably will be around for many more years to pass on His love to my children’s children, as well as to others He brings our way.
While I sat at the kitchen table sipping tea during my morning devotions, I was distracted by the dents, stains, and scratches on the wooden surface. My mind traveled to Sams Wholesale Club where only days ago I had admired a brand new contemporary-style oak table and chairs that would look grand in my eat-in kitchen. I sighed and forced my attention back to my Scripture reading. We weren’t in a financial position to spend money on furniture. Maybe I could just refinish the surface.
As I read Deuteronomy, chapter six, I lingered on verses 5-9: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
A sudden warm awareness washed over me. This wooden table passed down to our family from my husband’s mother played a vital role in fulfilling the admonition of this Scripture. How often we had gathered around it to participate in family devotions. When the girls were little, they would color pictures to illustrate the Bible reading for that day. While I tried my best to scrub stray marks from Grandma’s maple drop-leaf table, I could never completely eliminate the stains. I remembered other occasions when we would roll out dough and cut out Christmas ornaments to attach to gifts or give to neighbors. Some of those cookie-cutter marks still stated their presence on Grandma’s hand-me-down table. When we raised money to go to India on a family mission trip, we crafted wreaths and candy trains to sell. The table still bore glue gun and wire marks. Home school science experiments gone amuck also plagued the table top.
Now immersed in my reminiscence, I leaned in to scrutinize the surface. Sure enough, there were glass rings from company we’d invited in over the years, some of whom were unsaved family members, friends, and work associates. Then I zeroed in on my husband’s place at the table. Just that morning, he had set his oatmeal bowl on one of the Christmas cards we had saved so that we could pray for the sender. When I picked up the card, I noticed part of the back was stuck to the table. Grabbing the dishrag, I scrubbed at the spot. While the paper easily dislodged, the ink from the backing remained indelibly imprinted on the maple surface. I smiled, no longer troubled by my splotched and marred table, but warmed by the realization that this family heirloom had hosted many a stranger, hurting soul, and our own children who are now faithfully serving the Lord around the world with our grandchildren.
I sat back down at the table and ran my hand over Deuteronomy, chapter six. I chuckled as I realized that we had fulfilled the Lord’s admonition to write down His commands, maybe not on the doorframes of our house, but on our kitchen table. Our love for the Lord was etched all over its surface and I had never stopped to appreciate it. But you know, if I have anything to say about it, this table that expands to accommodate twelve people comfortably will be around for many more years to pass on His love to my children’s children, as well as to others He brings our way.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Many Faces of Jinja
The Ugandan children love to beg the "mzungu" (white) missionaries for biscuits, cookies in a plastic package.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Off to Uganda
Ready or not, here we go!
Fighting the sniffles as we toss in last minute items into our luggage. The missionaries request chocolate, guitar pics, and Sunday School materials. We appreciate the donations people and businesses have made! It means alot to American missionaries to have small touches of home. Most countries just don't produce the chocolate that the good ole' US of A does, unless you're talking about Europe.
In spite of not feeling 100%, we're ready to get the show on the road. On Tuesday of next week, we will travel to the Kingfisher Resort on Lake Victoria to lead a five-day marriage retreat. PRAY for God to do a work in each of us as we create relationships that honor the Lord and magnify Him to the world. PRAY for the nationals as they reach out to their villages with the gospel. PRAY for the missionary team as they seek the Lord's direction in ministry. PRAY that we will all have health and strength to do what He has asked us to do.
And when you get a chance, don't forget to check out www.christianbook.com for the best prices on JOURNEY TO JUDAH and RESTORED HEARTS. Join with us in prayer for God to use these two novels to touch folks' hearts and help them get involved in sharing His Word with others.
Fighting the sniffles as we toss in last minute items into our luggage. The missionaries request chocolate, guitar pics, and Sunday School materials. We appreciate the donations people and businesses have made! It means alot to American missionaries to have small touches of home. Most countries just don't produce the chocolate that the good ole' US of A does, unless you're talking about Europe.
In spite of not feeling 100%, we're ready to get the show on the road. On Tuesday of next week, we will travel to the Kingfisher Resort on Lake Victoria to lead a five-day marriage retreat. PRAY for God to do a work in each of us as we create relationships that honor the Lord and magnify Him to the world. PRAY for the nationals as they reach out to their villages with the gospel. PRAY for the missionary team as they seek the Lord's direction in ministry. PRAY that we will all have health and strength to do what He has asked us to do.
And when you get a chance, don't forget to check out www.christianbook.com for the best prices on JOURNEY TO JUDAH and RESTORED HEARTS. Join with us in prayer for God to use these two novels to touch folks' hearts and help them get involved in sharing His Word with others.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Love Won Out conference
What a moving and meaningful day at the Love Won Out Conference! Thank you for your prayers. The speakers were humble, gracious servants of our Lord. God answered many of my personal prayers.
Here are some highlights of my weekend:
• Joe Dallas asking me to autograph a copy of Restored Hearts for him.
• Getting copies of Restored Hearts into several other key leaders’ hands:
Melissa Fryrear—director of gender issues for Focus on the Family/Public Policy division
Alan Chambers—President of Exodus International to which a portion of book sales will go. This is currently the largest Christian organization that reaches out to those who struggle and their families.
Dr. Bill Maier—Vice President at Focus on the Family and psychologist-in-residence
Mike Goeke—pastoral counselor to those struggling with same-sex issues
Nancy Heche—mom, speaker, and author whose husband died of Aids and whose actress daughter had a three-year relationship with Ellen DeGeneres
• Placing Restored Hearts into the hands of a visibly hurting family whose son was very much trying to look like a girl. They traveled all the way from Minnesota to attend the conference.
• Meeting and sharing with a middle-aged couple who just found out their son has a homosexual lover
• Meeting another mom who wants to take action in her community against the gay agenda
• Thanking the Focus on the Family team for the opportunity and privilege of serving alongside them as part of their counseling network
• A loving message sent to those who picketed Saturday. Several leaders went out on the sidewalk to talk with the gay activists. Police guards were posted at the church doors. Thanking the Lord for our safety.
Continue to pray for the impact of the conference and for God to use Restored Hearts however and whenever He chooses.
Here are some highlights of my weekend:
• Joe Dallas asking me to autograph a copy of Restored Hearts for him.
• Getting copies of Restored Hearts into several other key leaders’ hands:
Melissa Fryrear—director of gender issues for Focus on the Family/Public Policy division
Alan Chambers—President of Exodus International to which a portion of book sales will go. This is currently the largest Christian organization that reaches out to those who struggle and their families.
Dr. Bill Maier—Vice President at Focus on the Family and psychologist-in-residence
Mike Goeke—pastoral counselor to those struggling with same-sex issues
Nancy Heche—mom, speaker, and author whose husband died of Aids and whose actress daughter had a three-year relationship with Ellen DeGeneres
• Placing Restored Hearts into the hands of a visibly hurting family whose son was very much trying to look like a girl. They traveled all the way from Minnesota to attend the conference.
• Meeting and sharing with a middle-aged couple who just found out their son has a homosexual lover
• Meeting another mom who wants to take action in her community against the gay agenda
• Thanking the Focus on the Family team for the opportunity and privilege of serving alongside them as part of their counseling network
• A loving message sent to those who picketed Saturday. Several leaders went out on the sidewalk to talk with the gay activists. Police guards were posted at the church doors. Thanking the Lord for our safety.
Continue to pray for the impact of the conference and for God to use Restored Hearts however and whenever He chooses.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Log onto www.guardyourmarriage.com and enter the CONTEST.
Complete this sentence stem to enter the contest to win a FREE marriage CD.
The best Valentine gift I ever received from my spouse was_____________________.
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