In Nashville, Franklin Graham Urges Christians to Pray, Vote, and Stay Engaged –

Christians cannot restore America by rallying behind political parties, but must pray, vote and engage in politics to uphold biblical principles, evangelist Franklin Graham told a crowd of about 8,600 gathered at noon today (May 3) in front of the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville.

It was the largest crowd to date in his Decision American Tour 2016 with Franklin Graham — a series of sermons and prayer rallies at each capitol in the nation that began Jan. 5 in Des Moines, Iowa — and is scheduled to end Oct. 13 in Raleigh, N.C.

“Some may ask, ‘Franklin, what would your father have done?’ Well, I can tell you right now if my father were my age, and had the strength, he’d be doing exactly the same thing I believe,” said Billy Graham’s son. “My father said in 1952, I think it’s the duty of every individual Christian at election time to study the issues and the candidates and then go to the polls and vote.”

Franklin Graham, the eldest son of Billy and Ruth Graham and the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, evoked the words of his father as still pertinent today.

“Listen up church, he said, if I were a pastor of a church, I believe I would explain to my people where each candidate stood morally, spiritually and in relationship to the church,” Graham quoted his father. “He said I feel that we’re going to have to meet our political obligations as Christians and make our voice known if America is to be preserved with the type of Christian heritage which has given us the liberty and freedom we now enjoy.

“For unless,” said Graham, quoting his father, “America turns back to God, repents of its sin and experiences spiritual revival, we will fail as a nation. And I believe God honors leaders in high places who honor Him.”

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The Mender of Broken Dreams

Most of us remember the rhyme from our childhood, ‘Humpty dumpty sat on a wall, humpty dumpty had a great fall…all the kings horses and all the kings men couldn’t put humpty dumpty together again’. Do you remember reciting that? Yeah, me too.

Dreams that fall apart unfortunately are something so many of us experience. All the kings’ men couldn’t put humpty dumpty back together. I know it’s a fairy tale rhyme but it sort of goes with this writing.

What happens when your dream just one day disappears from our life? What do you do? Can anything become of a broken dream?

Let me tell you a story. There was a young man named Jeremy who had a dream to own a motorcycle shop when he was old enough and had enough money. He (to use the term) lived, ate and dreamed about motorcycles. He started out when he was about six years old with a small mini-bike that he thought would rival Evil Knievel’s motorcycle. (For those who don’t know who Evil Knievel was might be a time to Google after reading the article.) He graduated to a dirt rider 100cc’s of power that would climb those Ohio hills like nobody’s business. At 16 he decided to take his bike to distant places to ride with the wind and go to where ‘no man has taken a motorcycle before’.

He had many adventures and spent many hours of pure enjoyment on a motorcycle. He graduated high school and went off to college to learn all he could about business and finance. Now don’t worry, he kept up with motorcycles to the extent that he freelanced writing articles for a popular motorcycle magazine. His love for motorcycles grew and grew almost at the same pace as his love for his new ‘girl’ Suzanne.

Suzanne was pretty, smart and she loved to ride with Jeremy on his motorcycle. It didn’t matter if she got caught out in the rain or splashed with mud…’all the better’ she would tell Jeremy when he apologized for the inclement weather.

Jeremy and Suzanne graduated college and got married. Suzanne wanted kids and felt that Jeremy should find a real job and ‘down the road’ they would pull their finances together to open that motorcycle shop. Well as marriages go and finances to raise a family seem to take most of income…that business never happened. One thing led to another, Suzanne had an affair and Jeremy and Suzanne got a divorce.

Crushed and devastated, Jeremy (who never wanted the divorce and truly loved Suzanne) almost suffered a nervous breakdown. He was at his lowest point even considered ending his life because he seriously didn’t think he could handle life without Suzanne.

One of Jeremy’s good friends was troubled for him and started to pray for him. God impressed upon James to talk to Jeremy and try to convince him to start again. James went to Jeremy and talked with him about what he felt and his concern. James assured Jeremy that when God instills a dream or vision he doesn’t take it away.

At first Jeremy didn’t have the energy or the desire to think about it. He couldn’t force himself to have a dream or revive his old dream, he was tormented with failure. But…one day he felt the need and he prayed out to God. He prayed to a God that he knew but his relationship was cold. Jason was raised in church and he was full of faith until he married Suzanne. He allowed his relationship with God to be ‘on the back burner’ and not as important as it used to be.

But God is all merciful and full of grace. All it takes is one prayer; one prayer of repentance and God is there. He reminds you that he loves you, he lets you sense peace and joy. Jeremy prayed and asked God to restore his dream…he asked God to ‘bind up his broken heart’ to mend all the pieces that were crushed and you know what?? God did.

Today Jeremy has his motorcycle shop. Today he is prosperous. Today he is living as a Christian and involved in his church. Today is the dream of yesterday.  Do you have a broken dream? Do you need God to heal your heart and restore your dream? He will, just as he healed Jeremy he will do the same for you. Just ask!!! Ask him now. He is only a prayer away and I know he will hear you.

By Sheila (Guest Post)

His Words, Not Mine

 

The word of God is solid. The word of God through the Bible is sure and steadfast.

“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16 –

When the Bible speaks on the subject of divorce it is sin period. Do not confuse the fact that divorce may be prevalent, it is still SIN. You may have several questions and in the end the Bible is still clear. SIN! What does this mean? It means if I have divorced repent to God for your sin and move forward. Do not try and justify this, it only causes more pain and lingering suffering. If you are able to get out of divorce do it. Victory is always better than defeat. Paul died for the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to some he was defeated holding on a gospel that led to his demise, but Christ calls him victorious. We do not judge marriage by the struggle, we reward marriage by success.

When the Bible speaks on the subject of strange sexuality it is sin period. Do not confuse the fact that strange sexuality may be prevalent, it is still SIN. You may have several questions and in the end the Bible is still clear. SIN! What does this mean? It means if I have participated in strange sexuality, repent to God for your sin and move forward. Do not try and justify this, it only causes more pain and lingering suffering. Identify the door into strange sexuality and remove it from your life. Victory is always better than defeat. We do not judge strange sexuality by the struggle (the fight of internal desire toward it); we reward right living by success. Sin causes death when it is finished.

SIN hurts the user, but Jesus Christ has made a way through his blood sacrifice, to save whoever calls out to him for his saving grace.