Have We Lost Our Moral Compass?

I think all Christians would agree that our nation is headed on the wrong path. Socially, economically, and -- most of all -- spiritually, we seem to have lost our moral compass. The message from Washington, DC, is that we are no longer a "Christian" nation. Are they right?

When Abraham Lincoln was formally introduced to author Harriet Beecher Stowe, he is reported to have said that she was "the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war."

Although the president wasn't entirely serious, Stowe's famous novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was instrumental in the abolishment of slavery in the United States. It graphically depicts the racism and injustice of slavery that helped to start the bloody Civil War.

But when Lincoln put his signature on the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves "shall be free," folks realized that Ms. Stowe's novel had indeed helped to change the nation's moral compass.

I can't help but wonder: Who will rise up and change the moral compass of today?

In Old Testament times King Solomon was given clear directions that would change the moral compass of Israel, God's chosen people. And, friend, those same directions would apply to us today! They are found in the words of Almighty God in II Chronicles 7:14 -- "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

It is my belief that, if the Christians across this nation of ours would take a personal inventory based on II Chronicles 7:14, we would see that our only hope for us in these troubling times is to heed the words that God spoke to Solomon. If we will humbly seek the face of God in prayer and repentance of sin we will see changes begin to take place in our own lives.

And, when personal change comes, we just might become the instruments that God can use to change this great nation's moral compass.

That's how I see it from a ... "Pastor's Perspective."

SBC Pastors Conference

Diane and I are now back from the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and I've been reflecting on the week's events. While I always enjoy the actual "convention" part of the convention, I must say that the highlight of this year's trip was the outstanding 2009 Pastors Conference.

Dr. Ed Litton -- who, it turns out, is from my hometown of Kingsport, Tennessee, and actually attended the same church where I served on staff -- was the President of this year's conference, and he put together a program of some of the most inspiring preachers and speakers that I've ever heard. Ed is Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church North Mobile in Alabama, and is one of the most humble pastors I've been privileged to meet. His spirit is genuine and his love for the Lord is obvious. Indeed, he was led of the Holy Spirit to put together an awesome program!

Dr.Tom Elliff captured the attention of the entire meeting hall with his tremendous message on forgiveness and painted us all a real-life portrait of what real forgiveness looks like. In all of my years as a pastor, I have never witnessed such a powerful presentation on the subject! When his 93-year-old father came to the platform to pray, my eyes were filled with tears (as were the eyes of most people in the room).

And, thank God for the message from Michael Catt! The Senior Pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA (producers of the great movies, "Fireproof" and "Facing The Giants") cautioned the younger pastors and church planters not to forget the heroes of our generation (men like Manley Beasley, Ron Dunn, Vance Havner and others) who stood in the gap and preached uncompromisingly the whole counsel of God. He declared -- and I concur wholeheartedly -- that we can "engage the culture" without all the salacious, world-copying advertising gimmickery used by so many of the "emergent" churches of today.

At times throughout the conference, clips of men like Dr. W.A. Criswell were shown on the big screens, bringing back fond memories to this pastor's heart.

It was one of the most enjoyable Pastors Conferences I've attended in a long, long time from this ... "Pastor's Perspective."

Southern Baptist Convention

Diane and I are attending the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, beginning Sunday through Wednesday, June 21-24. I look forward to the trip, especially the Pastors Conference, where I'll receive some wonderful spiritual nourishment from some of the great pastors in our convention.

The convention itself has created some stir because of a document entitled "The Great Commission Resurgence Declaration," authored by our SBC President, Dr. Johnny Hunt. While I am in agreement with most of it, I, too, have some reservations about what has become known as "Article IX," which calls for a sweeping revamp of the way the SBC is structured. The jury is still out on it.

Check back often during the week, and I'll give you updates from a ... "Pastor's Perspective."

Religious Liberty Being Threatened

In our last election America voted for "Change." But it's certainly not the kind of change that can be embraced by most Christians that I know, especially pastors. Our precious religious liberties are being threatened at the federal level by bills that are quickly making their way to President Obama's desk.

One such bill is HR 1913 (the Local Law Enforcement Crimes Prevention Act, or LLECPA), quietly introduced in the House of Representatives on April 2nd by Rep John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). The bill as already passed in the House and now goes to the Senate where it will likely pass.

Rep Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) made the observation that this legislation could be used to intimidate and prosecute pastors who may preach biblical sermons concerning the homosexual agenda and lifestyle.

The legislation broadly defines the word "intimidation." Under this legislation, a pastor's sermon could be considered "hate speech" if it is heard by an individual who then acts aggressively against persons based on any "sexual orientation." As a result, the pastor could be prosecuted for "conspiracy to commit a hate crime."

Barrett Duke of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission issued a warning recently: "While we should never condone acts of violence against anyone, for whatever reason, including whether or not that person is a homosexual, this bill proposes to prosecute someone based on their belief (emphasis mine) about homosexuality and therefore makes religious belief a germane issue in this debate."

David Shelley, of the Family Action Council of Tennessee, recently wrote that "the real goal of this legislation is to target speech and expression, not to help local law enforecment officers deal with crime. The second goal is to criminalize any criticism of bizarre sexual behaviors as 'hate speech' or a 'hate crime' to be prosecuted by federal officials."

My friends, this is very troubling to me as a pastor. I believe our United States Constitution should be upheld at every level, by every politician ... and that means allowing everyone -- including faithful preachers of the Word of God -- to exercise free speech.

There was a time when the church was a place where you could hear the truth being preached from the Bible, and the pastor was respected for proclaiming "Thus saith the Lord." But, I wonder, how long is that going to hold true?

Far too many Christians today are in a spiritually lethargic state ... they're unaware of the growing movement across this country to destroy our Christian heritage and religious freedoms. In Matthew Chapter 5 Jesus called on the church to be "salt and light," and I believe this applies to the public arena, too.

By God's grace, I intend to be a pastor who will proclaim the whole counsel of God, not out of "hate speech" but rather out of "love speech!"

Our religious liberty should be protected from government interference. That's my ... "Pastor's Perspective" on this issue.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is set aside each year to remember those who gave their lives in the armed forces. We remember those who died on faraway battle fields to bring freedom and democracy to oppressed peoples. We commemorate their actions by honoring them in ceremonies across the land. We sometimes call it Decoration Day because we decorate the graves of fallen heroes with flags and flowers.

Countless men and women have paid the ultimate price to ensure the freedom that we enjoy today and, for that, each one of us should be eternally grateful.

But, let me share another perspective on Memorial Day ...

When Israel crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land for the first time God commanded Joshua to pile up a heap of stones at the place ... "So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever." The stones memorialized God's great grace.

As a great statue of David memorializes the work of Michelangelo, the universe commemorates the genius of the living God. "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1).

In the brightness of the distant stars, the glow of the blazing comet, and in the shadow of a lunar eclipse we see the might, power, glory and strength of Almighty God our Creator. "For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made" (Romans 1:20).

Friends, in a real sense, the entire universe is a memorial to the greateness of God. Therefore, every day is God's Memorial Day!

That's Memorial Day from this ... "Pastor's Perspective."

The Influence of a Mother

We enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day service at Zion Grove Baptist Church last Sunday. It was good to see moms, young and old, with their children on the Lord's Day. There's no denying the influence of Godly moms!

And, on that subject, consider the following:

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan had 4 sons and they were all preachers. Someone once came into the living room when all the family was there. They thought they would see what Howard, one of the sons, was made of so they asked him this question: "Howard, who is the greatest preacher in your family?" Howard had a great admiration for his father, but he looked straight across at him and then, without a moment's hesitation, he answered, "Mother."

That's my "Pastor's Perspective" on moms.

A Watered-Down Day of Prayer Proclamation

Well, another National Day Of Prayer has come and gone, and, hopefully, Christians all over America spent some time talking to Almighty God, thanking Him for our salvation, our freedoms, and all the other blessings that many times we take for granted. I know that, here in the South, communities like ours held observances at churches and, in some places, at the county courthouse. At least for now, that's still legal.

However, at the White House, there was a notably different observance. President Barak Obama's administration made it known well in advance that there would be no formal observance of the day. Instead, Obama signed a proclamation ... with only one token mention of God.

In contrast, former President George Bush's final National Day of Prayer proclamation contained 15 references to God -- five in the first paragraph alone. I can't help but notice that, while Bush's proclamation focused on the One being prayed to, Obama's focus is on the people doing the praying. Bush unapologetically used Judeo-Christian language, while Obama's language is replete with religious pluralism.

I realize that our former President was the butt of many jokes, but thank God he wasn't afraid to give our Heavenly Father the credit and praise He deserves! And, after looking at the proclamations of former Presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton, I also realize he was the exception rather than the rule.

Blame him for a lot of things, but George Bush wasn't afraid to sign his name to a document overtly recognizing Almighty God, and for that I can certainly be proud of him!

You can think what you'd like; however, that's my ... "Pastor's Perspective."

Here's President Obama's watered-down proclamation. Read it and decide for yourself.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Throughout our Nation's history, Americans have come together in moments of great challenge and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer. In 1775, as the Continental Congress began the task of forging a new Nation, colonists were asked to observe a day of quiet humiliation and prayer. Almost a century later, as the flames of the Civil War burned from north to south, President Lincoln and the Congress once again asked the American people to pray as the fate of their Nation hung in the balance.

It is in that spirit of unity and reflection that we once again designate the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer. Let us remember those who came before us, and let us each give thanks for the courage and compassion shown by so many in this country and around the world.

On this day of unity and prayer, let us also honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. We celebrate their commitment to uphold our highest ideals, and we recognize that it is because of them that we continue to live in a Nation where people of all faiths can worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience.

Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill. Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together: the Golden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.

The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a "National Day of Prayer."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2009, as a National Day of Prayer. I call upon Americans to pray in thanksgiving for our freedoms and blessings and to ask for God's continued guidance, grace, and protection for this land that we love.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA