Will America Be a Superpower Seventy Five Years From Now?

by Dr. Fred Smith, Associate Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Graduate School

America will no longer be a superpower in seventy five years and maybe much sooner than that. This is more than just speculation. Most superpowers do not remain in that position for very long --Egypt probably was a superpower for longer than most --Assyria had it for a few hundred years --Greece and Persia were superpowers for a while --Rome was a superpower following them. After Rome,“superpowerdom”has lasted for shorter periods of time. The world moves faster due to improved technology/communications and the global economy. --Spain was a super power for a while until England defeated them at sea (in 1588).

Here is what happened there: Spain had been a wealthy country, with a growing economy, and it had the world's most powerful navy. They decided to engage in “regime change”in England as part of their foreign policy. They sent their Armada out against Britain. The war did not go as planned, and the Armada was defeated. Spain has never again been a world power.England ruled the Atlantic Ocean (the main criterion at that time)which made it the world superpower. --England's reign lasted until the mid twentieth Century --Germany,rivaled England as a near equal for less than 60 years. --America's rise to superpowerdom paralleled Russia's under the Soviet Union in the years following WWI, but neither of them was dominant until after WWII. Russia is no longer a superpower and we shall follow in their footsteps in the decades ahead. Many Christian "doomsayers" point to moral decline alone, as the single cause of America's greatness waning, with perhaps the rise of left wing politics as a companion cause. However, civilizations do not decline due to a single cause. There are always a multiplicity of issues involved.

Here is why America will inevitably decline: 1) Moral decline--It is not the only cause but it is an important one. We have become [as the Greeks and Romans before us] a nation of hedonists, a nation where millions of people are all engaged in the constant pursuit of pleasure (usually called "Entertainment" or "A satisfying lifestyle," but it amounts to the same thing) cannot be a nation that pursues the kind of transcendent goals and virtues that sustain a culture. We cannot pursue honesty, respect for the past, hope for the future, selflessness, humility, and public service, if the most important item on our personal agenda is "Friday night." This is especially true if "Friday night" means "a chance to get drunk" "fun time" "bar hopping" "me time" "dump the kids on grandma and lets go party!" or some combination of the above. And this is what Friday night means to too many Americans, and it is the most important thing on their agenda each week. Even those who do not get drunk will often plan their schedule around being entertained, or having fun (even “good clean fun”) rather than around enriching relationships, cultivating virtue, serving the community, etc. 2) Economic decline--we are in trouble and don't know how bad it is. Our economy has been propped up for decades on consumer credit. The current deficits are sucking the credit lines out there plumb dry. We will pay more for credit, have less of it, and thus use less in decades ahead. Perhaps the whole thing will blow up, but I doubt it. We more likely will face several decades of drifting economically, a time of stagnation, with moderate ups and downs, but mostly a slow downward slide. . This may lead to some kinds of upheavals in society. "Friday night fun" depends on having money available to spend, and if there is less money, then “Friday night fun” suffers. Still, a pleasure driven society is not much motivated to be a productive society, and the economy will not recover without creativity, a strong work ethic, and a determination to look beyond "Friday night" and toward a better future. Americans just don't do that very much. 3) Political decline--A government that believes it must cater to the felt needs of the populace (see Rome in its decline years, or the U.S. post Katrina), will find the people more demanding, especially if "the good life" is seen as a political right, and is defined in terms of having quality material things. No government can sustain itself as the concierge of the most demanding of its citizens, at least not for very long. The US Government has undertaken to provide housing for Katrina victims, to rebuild the infrastructure, to guarantee that the dikes don't break again, etc. All of this is just way too much. Where is good old fashioned “can do spirit” and “Yankee self reliance”? We expect the government, rather than God, to guarantee the good life. (Consider that, in times past, a major natural disaster drove people either to pray, or to question the goodness of God—“Why did God allow this?” Today, a major natural disaster drives people to apply to FEMA and to question the competence and compassion of the federal government—“Why didn't Bush do something!” This is a major change in our national consciousness and orientation. It is a change that causes people to demand more of the government, while being less productive. It causes people to expect instant gratification from the government and to become angry and bitter if the government does not, or cannot "pony up." This is not an attitude that sustains a great nation. 4) Educational decline--People who are less well educated tend to focus on immediate rather than long range goals, and on material comforts rather than on higher and nobler ends. As education declines, the "selfishness quotient" and the "immaturity quotient" will inevitably rise. Along with this, the tax base erodes. This is because less well educated people are less productive. They earn less and thus pay less. They are also more likely to commit crimes in order to feed their drug habit, or to have money to buy things they want, or simply to stave off boredom. This nation, in a few years, will be trying to maintain a staggering debt, and a military presence, all the while maintaining a huge prison population, and serving the felt needs of millions of "victims" in this country. It will seek to do this on a shrinking tax base. We just cannot do it all. By 2055 we will no longer have military bases in Europe, the Middle East or Asia. We just won't be able to afford it, and protecting our own shores will be priority. We’ve all read about declining scores on the SAT, declines in reading skills, and about how today’s kids cannot locate Ohio on a map, etc. This has been going on since the 1970s and longer. It is starting to affect job performance, and the tax base. The “education problem in America” is not just an education problem. It affects everything. 5) Historical forces--I believe we are set for a return to the kind of isolationism that has been characteristic of the nation at times in the past. The perceived failure of the Iraq war, and its cost, will lead us to shun other such ventures in the future. It will be a long, long, lonnnnnnng time before any U S President will be able to say to the American people that a military venture will be over quickly and have little ramifications for most people. A nation that does not project what power it has into the world is not a super power. Thus, by mid century America will be struggling to pay its bills, shrinking its military presence and generally not caring a fig what other nations are doing or want to do. The nation will be dependent on other nations for manufactured goods (we are largely at that point now), and we will be teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. This is NOT the profile of a super-power.

I know this is not an optimistic scenario. However, we must face facts and trends. Every nation on earth believes in its own permanence. Every powerful nation believes it will last forever (the Assyrians surely did). It is hard for us to imagine a world in which America is not --first in everything --the most powerful --the greatest --the free-est --the most virtuous (Actions of some of our soldiers in Iraq, as well as "waterboarding" has divested the rest of the world of that notion, but we cannot see it yet ourselves) This is because we have grown up in a world where that is what America was. America hit its high point in the nineteen fifties. We had just beaten Germany and Japan and had saved the world from tyranny and oppression. Now we were creating the most prosperous nation on earth, making use of our freedom and opportunities for the benefit of all. It did not last long. America's decline began in the 1960s. It has begun to be evident on a number of fronts listed above. In a few decades it will be over. America will not disappear. England and Germany have not disappeared, certainly. We will decline and stagnate into just one more among the many nations that were once great and now are “also rans.” Christians find this kind of scenario disturbing. We are used to thinking of America as "God's special people." We should never have done this in the first place, but it makes it difficult for us to face realities. Seventy-five percent of American Evangelicals see themselves as in the cultural mainstream. These people really believe that the moral relativism, drug use, drunken brawls, gambling, pornography, etc, are all happening 1) in California 2) among a small fringe group of people. They do not see that it is happening down the street, in their community, and in their schools. situations such as the abuses at Abu Graib a few years ago are seen by these Christians as an aberration, the work of a few "sickos." It is, in fact, the end result of moral relativist teaching in our schools, and on TV and in popular magazines etc. for more than 30 years. These young men and women, serving in Iraq had been told every day of their lives, "You do what YOU think is best" "Don't let others tell you what is right and what is wrong" "Your values must be your own, not someone else's" etc. And then they were given a little bit of power over others at Abu Graib. Now the liberals are decrying the results of their own moral teaching and they don’t see that they themselves are the cause of the problem. We must, I fear, prepare for second class status among the world's nations--or get serious about renewing a once thriving culture that accomplished some remarkable things.

Blooms, Candy, Easter, and Basketball...does it get any better?

I really, really love this time of the year. Spring is beginning to set in with warmer weather and blooms beginning to appear on trees...holy week culminated by Resurrection (Easter) Sunday...Easter candy...baseball season opens up...and the NCAA basketball tournament along with the Masters golf tournament...Wow, it doesn't get much better than that!

Now I'm sorry if I seem a little carnal and sports crazy. I've been this way since I was a kid. God hasn't chose to deliver me yet, so I guess I will go to the grave like this. My wife asked me one time, "Why do you love sports so much?" (I think she was standing in front of the television set at the time during our first few weeks of marriage). And I've thought a lot about her question over the years. And really there are three main answers I think that explain my fascination with sports.

#1 - COMPETITION - I love watching teams or individuals compete against one another. Not only do I enjoy watching it. I also enjoy doing it. Now days, I don't compete much. Maybe every once in a while on the basketball court. But I really enjoy watching teams or players give it all they have to outduel or outthink an opponent.

#2 - EXCELLENCE - I really enjoy watching people do a skill with great excellence or perfection. You know someone is good at something when they make it look easy. You know, when you watch someone and you think to yourself "I can do that." Golf is the hardest sport I have ever played. I am amazed at how easy the PGA stars make it look. Gymanastics, skiing (any kind), swimming, skating...I could go on and on. The great ones make it look so easy. But its not, believe me!

#3 - PREPARATION - Too be really good at anything, lots of preparation goes into it. People that are really good at a sport, art, music, etc., spend years of their lives preparing themselves...lots of hard, sacrificial effort. They really do pay a great price for their success...something that is very rare in our self-gratifying culture.

I guess growing up if there is one sport that I really worked at, it was basketball. I played a little in school, but I would say all the hard work never really paid off. I think God had different plans for me and I am really glad now that I went His way instead of mine. Proverbs says "we make our plans but God directs our steps." I see people all the time try to make their plans and guide their own steps. When we do that, the end result is never good. Only God's will for our lives leads to blessing and fulfillment.

I'm sorry if my thoughts don't seem very organized. Thats because its late and there not. But anyway, what a great time of the year. I hope you take the opportunity to enjoy spring today.

-Pastor

GEORGE FOX - the HOLY RADICAL

Great article! I wanted you to read it. I hope you will. Have a great Tuesday!


GEORGE FOX - the HOLY RADICAL
-by David Smithers

In the year of 1647, a large man with piercing eyes named George
Fox started preaching throughout the towns and villages of England.
He prayed and fasted often, traveling with no other companion but
his Bible. He proclaimed a gospel of purity, power and repentance.

When George Fox began preaching, many churches were dead
and bound in man-made traditions and formalism. When the Church
drifts into formalism, the world drifts into further ungodliness. The
methods and appearance of George Fox to some, seemed quite
offensive and extreme. It is sometimes necessary for God's
prophets to be unconventional in order to thoroughly awaken the
indifferent and hard hearted.

Soon after George Fox began to preach, he had a remarkable
spiritual experience that lasted fourteen days. A certain Mr. Brown,
while on his death bed prophesied many great things concerning
Fox. "When this man was buried," says Fox, "a great work of the
Lord fell on me." During this mighty baptism of the Spirit, Fox
received a remarkable gift of discernment. "He seemed to be able
to read the character of men by looking at them." Miraculous
healings also accompanied his ministry. Through prayer and the
laying on of hands, the sick were often healed and devils were
cast out to the glory of Christ. When George Fox preached men
would shake and tremble. "The name Quaker was given to Fox
and his followers because of the quaking of the men who came
to scoff but stayed to pray." This remarkable power seemed to
accompany the preaching of Fox wherever he went.

Fox preached that Jesus Christ is the author of a faith which
purifies and gives victory over sin. He fervently exhorted men to
pursue complete holiness rather than empty religious ceremonies.
As a result, he was often beaten, stoned and driven out of town.
It is estimated that perhaps no other man since the time of the
Reformation was persecuted and imprisoned as often as George
Fox. He usually went about the country on foot, dressed in his
famous suit of leather clothes, which it is believed he made
himself. He often slept outside under a tree or in some haystack.
Fox also often pointed out that what was commonly called the
Church was only a building. He boldly declared that only the
fervent believers of Christ were the living stones of the true Church.

"Above all George Fox excelled in prayer." It was his habit to wait
in silence for the movement of the Holy Spirit and then begin to
pray, causing whole congregations to be shaken and humbled
under the hand of God Almighty. "As he prayed the power of God
came down in such a marvelous manner the very building seemed
to rock." Through the ministry of George Fox, a glimmer of Apostolic
power was revealed to seventeenth century England. He was a man
of the Spirit in an age that emphasized theological and scriptural
accuracy at the expense of the power of the Holy Ghost. He always
stressed the importance of a Spirit filled life and refused to let dead
orthodoxy be a veil for the works of the flesh.

If we as believers are content with a gospel that merely comforts
our conscience and perseveres our traditions, then we are also
content to forsake the gospel of Christ and the Apostles. God
help us to truly seek the kind of praying and preaching that will
once again make men tremble in the presence of Jesus Christ.

Sunday Wrap Up

What a super weekend! A big thank you to everyone who worked the egg hunt. You are the greatest! Everything went so smoothly and it was so well organized. By 1:33 pm people were heading to their cars with for the most part happy kids. Here are some things that I thought was so cool to see Saturday...
~ Parents taking pix of their children in the courtyard...pix of their children sitting on the benches with the Easter baskets or children standing with the fountain in the background.
~ The hundreds of four to six year olds that showed up Saturday!By far the greatest age group in attendance.
~ The cooperative and team attitude of all the workers. When everyone does their part the end result is success!
~ The give-aways were wonderful...K.I. one-day passes, big Easter baskets, free pizzas, movie passes, fast-food gift certificates. Great job April and Lori!
~ The presentation of the gospel was the greatest highlight of them all! Hundreds of people said the sinners prayer and no doubt most of them confessed with their mouth and truly believed in their heart. One day we will see the true fruits of our labor in heaven.
JUST A GREAT, GREAT DAY!!!

Today's services were awesome. Wow, was there ever a freedom and a powerful anointing to preach the Word of God this morning. Sorry, we don't have a video of the message on the website...we had some technical difficulties this morning. But the Sunday night youth message and the human video should be on there by Monday evening if not before. The Youth Service was great! The youth did a beautiful job leading us in worship in song and with the human video. Brother Adam did a great job with truly a message from the heart of God.

Its obvious that God is raising up a powerful youth ministry at KP. It was great to see all the youth praying around the altar tonight seeking God. What a beautiful sight! As I said tonight, I so appreciate Alan and Hillary, Corina, Ken, and Jon. I know that there are others that have helped out including the parents. I really believe this is only the beginning!

Well, everyone have a great week. I plan on staying in the U.S. this week, just in case any of you get any fraudulent e-mails supposedly from me outside the country.

Blessings, Pastor

DON'T GO IT ALONE

Have you ever heard of Lieutenant Hirro Onada? He was the last Japanese soldier to surrender after World War II. He was left on the island Lubang in the Philippines in 1944 --- along with three other soldiers. They were left with the command to “carry on the mission even if Japan surrenders.” Eventually the others were killed or surrendered. But Onada continued his war alone.

Through the years, he ignored messages from loudspeakers announcing Japan’s surrender. Leaflets were dropped in the jungle begging him to surrender so he could return to Japan. During his 29-year private war, he killed at least 30 Philippine nationals. More than half a million dollars were spent trying to locate him and convince him to surrender.

Finally, on March 10, 1974 Onada surrendered his rusty sword after receiving a personal command from his former superior officer. His lonely war was finally over. When he returned to Japan as a prematurely aged man of 52, he made this comment: “Nothing pleasant during those 29 years in the jungle.” (Newsweek, 1974)

Well, that was a bit of an understatement. But people can spend long years fighting lonely battles when they are determined to “go it alone.” People spend years battling secret sins and weaknesses and addictions --- when they could end the battle IF they would let other people help them. We need each other for perspective, accountability, advice, encouragement, and all of the other things that Christian friendship adds to our lives.

-Pastor

A Great Way You Can Bless the American Soldier...

If you scroll down the bottom of this page, you will see where you can click to my actual Pastor's blog page provided by e Blogger. You will see a Ministry to the Military link above this blog article. I would like to encourage you to visit the mttm website and check out this great ministry to our U.S. troop families. This is an awesome ministry provided and supported by you, the Church of God, that does a wonderful job caring for and ministering to the soldier and his family around the world. They have mttm centers throughout Europe, Asia, the U.S., and in other locations. These centers are led by mttm directors or pastors who are sold out for Christ. They make great sacrifices to minister to our soldiers and their families.
A few weeks ago, as many of your know, I was in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, for a mttm directors encounter. The encounter was great and the Holy Spirit did a beautiful work among the directors and their wives. But one of the many things that left an impression upon me was the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort Center where our encounter was held. This is a beautiful place nestled in the Bavarian Alps. The Resort provides recreation, sports, tours and lodging for our overseas American Service Members and their families. While we were there, a Church of God Chaplain made it possible for mttm soldiers' families to come and spend a few days there relaxing and recreating without charge. It was a beautiful sight to see these soldiers...many of them fresh off the battle field playing and relaxing with their wives and kids. Now that's your tax dollar and your mission dollar combined doing a great work!

Well, anyway, I thought I would share that with you today. Listen, if you are looking for a powerful, effective ministry to sow into that will bless the American soldier and nurture them in the Christian faith at the same time...give a gift to the Ministry to the Military. Again, just click on the link and it will direct you in how you can make a donation. May God bless you as you consider giving to this great ministry.

-Pastor

My Terrific Tuesday!

Okay, its about time to shut it down for the day. Great day - busy day.

We had a wonderful cell this morning with a group of great guys. Stan even bought my little b-fast. Bless you Stan! From there I went to a pastor's covenant group cell in Harrison. Great group of pastors...we had a super time together doing things pastor do...talk, eat, pray, eat,and we learned some things together today as well and finished by eating. Great time!

From there, I met Gabe at Verizon and helped him pick out his new phone. Even though he's paying for it, the account is in my name so I had to sign for it. He got a chocolate touch. Really nice, but I still like blackberry better than chocolate, especially with a little ice cream. I know...poor humor...sorry, I couldn't pass it up.

From there I had to run home for a minute and then go meet with a group of guys that I am trying to evangelize. None of them know Christ, but I've been slowly working on them for about six months. They are a great group of guys and we have super time playing basketball...three-on-three. For a old guy, I still have some hoops moves and a few flashy moments; but I am paying for it tonight in stiff muscles and joints. Anyway, we have a great time. We talk before, during, and afterwards. I get a chance to share some spiritual stuff from time to time, but mainly I just live it out in front of them. I love it!

From there, I came home and was surprised by a visit from Phyllis Burton and her daughter, Kim, and son-in-law, Ike. They brought us a beautiful barn quilt and Phyllis baked lots of goodies and gave to us. She is quite the baker. The barn quilt really looks nice. I guess I didn't know what a barn quilt was. When Annette first told me about it, I figured it was some kind of old quilt that hung out in the in the barn. Don't laugh, you probably don't know what a barn quilt is either. But like a good husband, I just went along with it and acted like I knew what she was talking about. But its pretty cool. If you come to Gabe's grad party, you can see it for yourself.

Well, anyway that's my Tuesday. Looking back on it, I got to disciple some very special men; fellowship and do some training with some great pastor peer buddies; I got to do some evangelizing with some great guys who are lost along with get some exercise; and Annette and I were blessed by some wonderful godly people. What a awesome Tuesday! Isn't God good!

Have a great Wednesday!

-Pastor

Sunday Wrap Up

Okay, I'm still awake, but barely.

Great, great services today. It was so good to be back. What great people I pastor at KP! You are just a blessing to myself, Annette, and Gabe. Thank you so much for your support this morning. We love Brian, Melanie, Josh, Rebecca, and little Noah. We are going to miss them tremendously. They were a great blessing to KP. One day soon we will all be in heaven together. No more separation. No more good-byes.

Man, the service this morning was powerful. It felt like an encounter service. The Lord really helped Adam and I put that video together, I believe He anointed it. Awesome!

Service tonight was good too. These are exciting times. Lots of things happening. But thank God that He is in control!

Everyone have a wonderful week.

-Pastor

A Time for Serious Prayer!

When I was in Germany last week, the big news on all the news channels was Israel's announcement to expand their housing as U.S. Vice-President Biden was visiting in Jerusalem. The U.S. has demanded in the past that Israel not expand building because of the Arab and Israeli conflict in Jerusalem. The U.S. government saw it as a slap in the face to make the announcement with Biden in town.

The U.S. led by President Obama continues to distance itself from supporting Israel. One of the big items for the U.S. is keeping Israel from attacking Iran and taking out their nuclear sites. Israel knows they must do something. They absolutely believe the President of Iran is serious about backing his threats to wipe them off the map. If Israel cannot depend on U.S. support, could they sometime in the near future decide to go ahead and take out Iran's nukes?

When they do, I believe you will see things change drastically in the world and in the U.S. First of all, we will see the world's nations beating down the door to condemn Israel's response to the Iranian nuclear threat. Unfortunately, Obama's government will be one of the first to go through the door. Why? Because the U.S. will bow to the Arabs because they control the oil. If they would choose to stand with Israel the Arab nations in one swipe could cripple our economy by raising oil prices. The other thing we cold see shortly after Israel's Iranian attack is the fulfillment of Ezekiel 47. A lining up of nations led by Russia and Arab nations in attacking Israel that will lead to a Israeli victory that will be so disastrous that it will take seven years to bury the dead of the army that will attack from the north. Ezekiel prophecies that God himself will raise up a sword against Israel's aggressors.

What should American Christians do?
1) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem as instructed in the bible.
2) Pray that our government support Israel and bless the Israeli people.

God promises to protect Israel. But if we as a nation turn our back on her, we will bring God's judgment upon our nation the likes we have never seen before. This is a time for serious prayer!

-Pastor

Pray for Andrean

Good morning everyone! Getting caught up on my sleep slowly. Its funny, yesterday, I would be talking to people and tears would just start flowing out of eyes...and I started getting really sleepy about 4 pm. I guess thats what jet lag is all about.

On the plane trip home from Munich, I sat by a young German man named Andrean. What a great kid! He just graduated from college and had recently started working at Seamonds. This was his first time coming to the U.S. He was very excited. He told me he would be in Chicago and then would be traveling to Knoxville over the next two weeks. Andrean said that all German workers get paid once a month with thirty-three per cent of their paycheck taken out for taxes before they receive their check. He said all Germans have government health care. He said everything is paid for with no waiting to see a doctor or for surgery.

On the topic of religion. Andrean said that only the old Germans are religious. I ask him if he ever read the bible, he said no. I ask him why and he said that it is an old book and not very relative. Of course, that opened the door for me to preach a little bit. I talked to him about the importance of the bible as an historical book. I told him about the uniqueness of the bible and all the prophecies in the bible that were written hundreds of years before and have been fulfilled...especially the prophecies regarding Jesus. I had his attention now. I encouraged him to read the bible for himself and God would begin to reveal himself to him. I really believe that as I pray for him the Holy Spirit will prompt him to read the bible. If you don't mind, call out Andrean's name in prayer today. Pray with me that he will read God's Word. The bible says it will not return void. I know it will change his life like it has changed mine and yours through the Spirit of God.

Have a great day!

- Pastor

My Conversation with a German Businesswoman...

The trip to Germany was great. I will share some things as the week goes along. Today, I want to write about an eye-opening conversation I had on a train with a sharp, German businesswoman. She told me that she had traveled all over the world and Chicago was her favorite American city. When I asked her "Why?" She said that she loved the spirit of the people of Chicago. I proceeded to ask her how was the Chicago people's spirit different than that of the people of Germany. She replied that the Germans were known for their pacifism. She said she loved the American can do willingness to get it done spirit. She said that the Americans don't mine taking risk and in her opinion that is why America has been so successful.

My response was agreement with her, but I followed her comment up with a question, "Why do you think that Americans (Chicago more specifically), possess that kind of risky, can do spirit?" After thinking for awhile, she said it was the American pioneer spirit that made them like this. That since the founding of the country, Americans have always taken risks. Then, I followed up on her comments by making a statement that through for a curve. I asked her, "Can I tell you another reason why Americans possess this kind of spirit? It may even be more telling than our pioneer legacy."

This is what I said to her, I believe that our faith has a great deal to do with our spirit. I said, Christians in America believe the bible. If you read the bible it is a great book of faith from beginning to end. It is a book filled with great stories of people that heard from God, obeyed and trusted Him, and then acted on what He said. Many times that meant they took great risks. They trusted that God would see them through it, that he would make them successful in the end.

She was pretty surprised. I can tell she had never thought of that before. From there, she talked about how she saw religion as binding, not freeing people. It was her opinion that the religious people in American (in her mind "the Conservatives") were standing in the way of President Obama's progressive agenda. She expressed to me that the American people must get behind the President's agenda. If not, America will no longer be a super power in the world and China will takes its place. This she believed would not be a good thing for the rest of the world.

While in Germany, I talked to others and most, if not all, young and middle-aged Germans share her beliefs. They perceive our Christian values as old and standing in the way of America's progress.

Tomorrow, I will share a conversation I had with a twenty-six year old German young man who sees the bible as old and no longer relative.

Have a great Tuesday!

-Pastor

Sunday Wrap Up

Good evening everyone! I have been under the weather today. I made it through this morning with the aid of the prayers of the saints. Tonight, I tried to get some rest and went to the pharmacy for some advice in what take for a head cold before flying tomorrow. I appreciate Brother Ron Thomas who shared the message. Its nice to have capable ministers in your church who are ready without much prior notice to preach. I'm sure Ron did a great job and Mike also in running the service. I sincerely appreciate them both.

This morning, God did some wonderful things in our altars. I know of at least one young girl, Mary, who received Christ into her life. I know that there were many others who were blessed, encouraged, healed, strengthened, and their lives changed in the altars this morning. I am thankful that I pastor a church who still believes that God can meet with his people at an altar or prayer.

I know I don't say it enough, but a sincere thanks and appreciation to all of Sunday School staff and teachers and our children's worship ministries led by Debbie Jett. Also, Lori Dooley who heads our nursery ministries. Lori has made a lot of great changes that have really enhanced our nursery ministry. We are fortunate to have great, dedicated workers in our Sunday morning ministries outside of the worship service.

Also, we recognized Brian Griffin today, our music minister. Thank you to everyone that gave in an offering to Brian and Melanie. Please hold them up in your prayers.

Everyone have a wonderful week. Thank you so much in advance for remembering me in prayer this week. I hope to sharing some e-mails and maybe some pix with your from Germany.

-Pastor

An Incredible Day in the History of Haiti

We sent this out to everyone on our church e-mailing list. I really wanted everyone to see and hear about the miracles that God is doing in Haiti. If you are kingdom-minded, this will bless your socks off!

AN INCREDIBLE DAY in the HISTORY OF HAITI
-by Jerry Miel (Feb 17).

I think that I will remember this day as one of the most significant
in my life, not because of what I did, but for it's meaning...

Today was the one month anniversary of the great Haitian earthquake.

About 3 days ago the Haitian President announced that there
would be 3 days of holiday from work for the purpose of fasting
and prayer. This is absolutely historic. If you have ever been in
Haiti as a visitor or missionary, could you ever have imagined
such a pronouncement? Could you image such an announcement
from the U.S. President? This morning I saw a young Haitian-
American woman, the leader of a work team, crying because the
Americans could not understand the incredible importance of this
day and wanted to go about business as usual. Remember, it was
only about 6 years ago that a former Haitian president called the
nation to come together to rededicate the nation to Satan.

This was not "a minute of silence for the deceased" or something
as equally insignificant. Whatever the President might have
originally intended, this became a real commitment for the Haitian
people. As I sit here this evening, I can hear the preaching coming
from a nearby church. Services have been going on all day...

Let me tell you what I saw and felt today.

Peniel and I had planned an inspection trip up to the Artibonite
Valley today. Right or wrong, I don't really know, but since it was
the only opportunity, we went ahead with the trip. As we left the
guest house about 7:30 am, we were met by throngs of well
dressed people headed to various churches. The sounds of
Christian music and worship filled the air everywhere. The next
observation was that there was NO traffic. Port-au-Prince streets
are always clogged and overflowing with bumper to bumper traffic.
This morning there were only a few vehicles on the roads, a few
small buses (tap taps), some UN and military vehicles, and a few
private cars. We had clear sailing through town. The same was
true of foot traffic. Usually the streets are clogged also with
people walking. Today there were only a few and many of them
dressed for church. The only place that there were traffic blocks
was in front of several churches where the congregations had
overflowed the buildings and the yards and had moved out into
the streets as well.

The next observation was that EVERYTHING was closed! We
could not find even one business or gas station open. There were
no intercity buses running. Whereas the sidewalks are usually
overflowing with millions of street vender's, we only saw a few here
and there. The huge outdoor market near the wharf where
thousands work each day and is spread out to cover most of the
street, was EMPTY.

Where were all the people? They were in churches and makeshift
meeting sites. Every church (except a JW church) had services
going on, almost always overflowing into the streets. Beside
broken down churches, services were taking place outside. In
homeless camps, there were services. Everywhere the nation was
gathered to worship and pray. No, I did not see any voodoo,
Islamic, or Buddhist services. This scene was repeated in every
town and hamlet that we passed during the day.

Tonight, Pastor Ignace, who is sharing the room with me, asked
this question: "Can people still say that Haiti is a voodoo country?"
What has been happening and is continuing to happen in Haiti did
not happen because of the earthquake. It has been happening
because the Haitian people know how to pray. This is a tremendous
outpouring of God's power as the result of prayer. Twenty years
ago I started praying for the Gospel to change the Haitian culture.
I think that I am seeing God do that work.

The only sadness that I feel today is for our nation. While a nation
that has long been under Satan's domination is turning to God
with total commitment, our nation, founded on Godly values has
rejected God and is rapidly trying to forget that his name even
exists. Let us pray for revival.

The Big Ones are Still Yet to Come!

Its been a busy week preparing to go to Germany. Next week, myself along with a few other pastors will conduct an encounter weekend for the Church of God Ministry to the Military. The Church of God MTTM has military centers throughout Europe. Each center is led by a director and his wife. This encounter as I understand it will be for Military Centers' Directors and their wives. We might possibly go back next year and do an encounter for the soldiers and their families. Please join me in prayer for God to bring a breakthrough in this encounter.

Today, I heard from our Missionary Church Planter in Chile, Pastor Humberto. He sent me some pix and told me that the 8.8 earthquake that hit last week because of its location near the equator was 900 times more powerful than the Haiti earthquake. As you might have heard, scientists believe that the earth has moved off its axis somewhat do the powerful force of this earthquake. In the bible, Jesus points to earthquakes as birth pangs before His coming. He says they will increase and during the Tribulation period there are earthquakes that will take place that will make the Chile and the Haiti earthquake look very small. Don't be suprised if you don't hear more about this Sunday.

Lets please keep the people of Haiti and Chile in our prayers. Have a wonderful week!

-Pastor