A combination of events, articles, opinions and videos concerning our Christian culture.

Rev. Terri Howard
Independence had been discussed openly in the era before the Revolution, and those discussions were led by the clergy. Sermon topics preached in the decades leading up to the revolution offered perspectives on public issues, taxes, education, the military, just and unjust wars, governance – these were ideas for nation-building. It was the clergy behind the revolution. The British called them “The Black Robe Regiment,” referring to their clerical robes, and they laid blame for Colonial unrest on the back of preachers and the churches. (Excerpt from Fear of God and Prayer) by P. DOUGLAS SMALL

 The colonist and forefathers, feared God. They reverenced the scripture. Our United States were called United because they were a united people in their faith. They looked unto God as the divine rule. Thus our constitution was formed as the people were submitted to God and scripture. With the help of the Holy Spirit they were willing to govern themselves according to the Word of God. Look how we have fallen! If we are to save America we must return to our founding fathers principles of faith as all that was ordained was of God Almighty. This is the true foundation for liberty and justice for all. When people fear or rightly reverence God the result will be proper respect for one another. Today even the church has fallen from Godly rule. The Israelites fell over and over because they did what was right in their own eyes. In other words they didn’t want God Almighty, the Soverign God’s rule in their life so they did what they wanted. That is exactly what we have done in America. The Black Robe Regiment needs to arise once again and the church must repent and turn back to God sincerely. This is the only hope for America!

Comment by Rev. Jim Howard
Selah, meditate upon this and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks Truth in your heart.
2Ch 7:14 KJV If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
This scripture has been quoted time and time again in churches and Christian gatherings across America yet we fail to pay heed to the simple demands of the promise. We pray, but without repentance. We seek His Grace yet hide from His Face. We disdain the conviction of the Word of Truth and the Spirit of Truth yet conviction is the path to Repentance and Repentance is the ONLY way back to God’s Immeasurable GRACE. God wants to Bless His People, but our sins prohibit Him.
Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
The Good News is that God loves you and wants you to position yourself to receive His Blessings. The Choice to Repent is yours alone: the power to Repent or Change is GIVEN by the Holy Spirit to them that obey. The Holy Spirit ALWAYS meets obedience to the Word with POWER!

Brock was in trouble, so Dennis felt moved to pray.

 

 

From left to right: Dennis and Brock

The two had become friends when they attended a Christian high school, and both went on to the University of Alabama. But there their paths diverged. Dennis continued to follow Jesus; Brock pursued the lifestyle of partying.

Dennis prayed for Brock every day. “I loved him a lot,“ he explains. “The path he was going down was dark and depressing.”

For the sake of maintaining the relationship, Dennis sometimes hung out with Brock and his friends as they prepared to hit the bars—by drinking. But he never drank with them.

Being alongside but not participating, Dennis saw the deception they had fallen into.

He recalls, “The guys would have this big buildup—how they were going to go to a bar and have a great time. Then they’d get there and be disappointed.

Dennis prayed that Brock would find what he was searching for in Christ. That he would come to know Gods love and salvation. He asked God to “remove from [Brock] a heart of stone and give [him] a heart of flesh. Then [he] will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezekiel 11:19-20). But Brock continued to pursue his destructive lifestyle.

How Prayer Works

After Dennis graduated, the two would watch sports or work out together. Dennis moved to Tennessee for a time and only saw Brock on holidays. Brock continued partying and following his own plans for finding happiness. But Dennis kept praying to God to soften Brock’s heart.

A few years later his ministry with international students brought him back to Birmingham. He saw or texted Brock occasionally. But he saw no impact from his prayers.

Brock held him at arm’s length, not willing to engage in anything beyond surface-level conversation. Brock had no interest in talking about Jesus. But Dennis kept asking God to work in his life.

Then one day he got a phone call from Brock. This was unusual—the two had always texted.

“I’ve got something to tell you—do you have a minute?” Brock said. “I became a Christian today! I just gave my life to Jesus. Would you consider discipling me?”

Dennis’s eyes filled with tears. He had prayed for Brock consistently for 10 years, asking God to change Brock’s heart. And now Brock had surrendered his life to the Lord!

What changed? Brock recalls how God had brought a Christian woman into his life who had a “profound impact” on him while they dated. And finally, the appeal of his lifestyle grew thin.

He had just returned from a weekend in Chicago with his partying friends. He sat in his apartment, reflecting deeply on his life. “I realized it was futile, empty. It wasn’t what I wanted,” he says. “I came to the end of myself.” He decided to ask God for forgiveness and into his life. He wanted to follow Jesus and he knew who to ask for help—Dennis.

What God Does Through Prayer

Brock and Dennis began meeting, going over what it looks like to live the Christian life. As they studied the Word of God together, Dennis saw God “peeling back the layers” left over from Brock’s old lifestyle and disposing of those things, one by one.

Today, more than six years later, he says Brock is “a completely different person.” God transformed Brock from the inside out. Instead of looking for the next party he is pursuing things that last.

“His continual growth and trust in the Lord through ups and downs has been remarkable to see,” Dennis says. “He loves Jesus and is striving to grow and glorify God in every area of his life.”

Brock now leads a Bible study and recently invited a coworker to attend. He helps out in Dennis’s ministry to international students. It blows him away that Dennis prayed for him faithfully for so many years. Does that encourage him to be persistent in praying for others?

“Absolutely!”