So many of you may have heard here or there that the national day of prayer has been canceled. While it isn't a good direction for our country to trend, that statement is not entirely true either. Judge Barbara Crabb declared that the government sponsorship of a recognized day of prayer was unconstitutional based on the first amendment due to a lawsuit brought against the government by a group called the freedom from religion foundation (they should call it the freedom from Jesus foundation, but whatever). Here are Crabb's comments regarding the government sponsored day of prayer "It goes beyond mere 'acknowledgment' of religion because its sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function in this context," However Crabb also had these comments "I understand that many may disagree with that conclusion and some may even view it as a criticism of prayer or those who pray. That is unfortunate. A determination that the government may not endorse a religious message is not a determination that the message itself is harmful, unimportant or undeserving of dissemination." and "it is because the nature of prayer is so personal and can have such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority to try to influence an individual's decision whether and when to pray."

Listen...like I said I don't believe it's a good direction that things are tending in government but the ruling is actually somewhat legit based on the letter of the law. The spirit of the law...maybe a different story. But here is the main question for you and I if we are Christians...what are we going to do about it? Complain about Obama? Obama didn't make the ruling nor did he cancel the day of prayer. He did cancel a service that President Bush routinely engaged in which of course I'm not stoked about but was his decision. But he indicated that he would in spite of the ruling recognize the day of prayer himself. So sorry all you super political people who don't like Obama you don't really have anything (else) to complain about on this one. Which brings me back to my question as Christians what are we going to do about this? We could complain, which seems to be what Christians are best at these days. We could make a bunch of signs and picket...just another way of complaining. We could do nothing...let our own personal issues of life be more important...we're all too busy to actually take the time to do anything but complain anyway right? Or we could actually pray on the national day of prayer! Pray for our government, pray for our cities, pray for people, bless them! Instead of curse them...You see the question is how are you looking at and responding to the situation? If you aren't going to do anything about it, just keep your mouth shut is my opinion. I'm actually really tired of Christians complaining about what the deem as wrong, yet being too lazy or feeling too small to actually do anything about it. Isn't faith without action dead anyway? But if someone will stand up and do something about what they feel...I will definitely give them my ear, even if I don't agree with them because I respect the fact that they are people who DO not just complain and whine...are you sensing my theme yet?

Don't be a complainer, don't be a whiner, be a doer! You may get what you personally want by whining and complaining here and there...but you'll never change the world, and you'll never be remembered for your whines! Complaining isn't faith...faith releases grace and changes things...whatever it is you are passionate about step out in faith today! If you have something to SAY about the national day of prayer issue....then hopefully you can come up with something to DO about the national day of prayer issue. My dream is that more people will pray blessings over our communities, citizens, leaders, government, ec cetera than ever before in history because the issue has been brought to the forefront. When you are a doer God will take the things that were meant for harm and use them for good!

Have a good one all!

Chad

I've had this what I guess you would call a "speech" in my heart for the last little while, basically themed after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech regarding the reformation of the church, and the raising up to the fullness love influence and power of Christ's Bride on the earth that is God's intention. (is that like a horrible sentence or what...hopefully you get the point)

Anyway...God used mixed martial arts (something I love) to speak to me regarding this concept or theme in my heart today. Basically he said this "the best fighters on the planet are not those who specialize in one art, or who try to prove their art is better than another, but who embrace all the arts learn them, implement them, and focus on there personal strengths to obtain victory. Maybe the church should be like that." Would God use the UFC as a model for the reformation of the church? WOW the more I think about it the more I see it! The UFC used to be about styles fighting styles ie, Karate against Ju-Jujitsu, or wrestling against kung fu. However as fighters realized "I don't have everything I need focusing on this one little sector of fighting to be the best I can be" they got better and better. The fights became better, the athletes became better. What ultimately happened? The WORLD took notice! Just some things to think about...and as I read on the back of some dude's shirt the other night at a local cage fight "Jesus Loves MMA" haha.

Later y'all,

Chad