The following post he wrote Aug. 25/10. Here it is . . .
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I wanted to share a post with you that I have written. God speaks to all of us as long as we will take time to listen. It seems more the rule than the exception that this occurs during the middle of the night for me. I was and still am very honored that Pastor Young read this to the congregation. I believe this with all of my heart.
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We live in a world of compromise. A world that celebrates mediocrity. A world that idolizes those that most often deserve our praise least of all. Those that have been blessed with physical capabilities that are beyond what we could ever dream of, blessed with musical talent that astounds us, blessed with the ability to pretend they are someone that they are not, convincing us that who they portray is who they really are. Our world gives them more money than most of us could ever imagine having. Our world holds them in awe and reserves hand claps of praise for them and them alone. They are held up on pedestals and told how wonderful they are. They are given praise and adulation that previously was only given to those that truly made a positive difference in our world. In turn, they believe what they hear and see. They become, in their minds, wonderful and great. They then begin to espouse their political and life views on us. And the carnal world believes what they spew out and gives them credence. No matter how obscene, how misguided, they are given respect. Those people the world has chosen to honor and lift up are often times unfaithful, abusers of alcohol and illegal drugs, blasphemers, and unstable in various ways.
I work in a carnal world. One that says that right is wrong and wrong is right. I walk down the isles at work and see displays of our world. Perversity's and aberrations are all around me. They proudly celebrate their homosexuality and lesbianism with rainbows of color. They openly voice their views. They tell me that Socialism and liberalism are the answer. They admonish me for having strong Christian beliefs. They display their peace, let’s all get along at all costs, and let us all coexist. But, they warn me not to openly display my beliefs or voice my opinions. One of the representatives of our union recently stood up in front of a group and encouraged us to be open and honest. This will make you feel better. She then proudly stated, I know it made me feel free and much better when I came out of the closet. Why in the world would she ever think that is something that most of us wanted to hear?
We live in a world that once held those that truthfully reported the facts in our world with respect and admiration. A world that now allows not only white lies, but blatant fabrications of what really is happening. We live in a world that allows those that we vote for and elect to spin anything and everything in order to advance their political lives. They tell us what we want to hear and then move on to the next group and tell them the version of the truth they want to hear. Promises are made that they never had any intention of fulfilling. We live in a world that says that what a President does in the Oval Office is at their discretion. After all, it has no effect on how they actually do their job. Really? Immorality, lies, perversions have no reflection of how they are in all aspects of their lives? I grew up being proud to be an American. We stood for the truth. We helped those who were in need. We protected those who could not protect themselves. I cannot believe what I am seeing. Those that least deserve it are now leading us down a road of deception and destruction. We desperately want someone to lead us. To stand up for what is right. To be honest, forthright, true. To say it the way it is. To not listen to their advisors who are telling them what is politically correct. We want someone to stand up and be a true American. I now often find myself crying for our country. I see the things that once were great about our country quickly disintegrating and it breaks my heart.
But I thank God we live in a world that is not of this world. We live in a world that does not compromise, that celebrates excellence, and reserves hand claps of praise for Jesus alone. I lived in the carnal world for 55 years of my life. I praised those that entertained me and spent endless hours watching and listening to them. I drank, I smoked, I cursed, but felt that I was still a good guy. After all I had a job and didn’t go around purposely hurting anyone. I wandered aimlessly in life. I always believed that I believed in God, but continued to do as I wished. But, deep in my heart I knew there was always something missing. There was a hole in me that I feared could never be filled.
For over a year we were invited to the Rock (Church in Elk Grove California) . For over a year we would always find a reason not to come. Finally we said, ok, we will come, as long as you stop asking us. We drove up to the church. I looked at Robin and said this church is huge. Well, we will go in as promised, and then we won’t be bugged about coming again. But, then we walked in the doors. We were greeted by people that truly cared. It was clear they felt we had value. We walked into the sanctuary and there was a feeling that I could not explain. It just “felt right”.
We then kept coming back. We knew that this is where we belonged. It felt and is right.
You are leaders that lead. You tell the truth, you do not compromise. You encourage and celebrate excellence. You do not waiver in our beliefs one iota. The things that I find missing in my country’s leaders I find in you. I thank God on a continuous basis for what you stand for. There is never any doubt as to how you live your lives. There is no spinning of the truth or telling us what you think we want to here. If we aren’t doing what we need to be doing you clearly and emphatically tell us what is expected. You make me strong in my beliefs. You make me want to be a better man of God. I no longer have that hole in me. That feeling of emptiness has long been filled. I love you with all of my heart and cherish you. You are truly men and women of God and the epitome of what the bible tells us you should be. I now aspire to no longer compromise, to be anything but mediocre, and to send hand claps of praise to Jesus alone.
John Redman
I am thankful for the God fearing man and people at the fellowship I belong to. Here is a post I wrote about my pastor, Johnnie King: http://cheryl-g.blogspot.com/2009/04/diet-of-gods-word-linked-to-and.html
If you want to hear some of Pastor Kings or others preaching, click here:
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