The Christian Coalition of Washington

Old Soldiers Never Die

2011-07-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

A birthday wish to my good friend and predecessor at the Christian Coalition of Washington from 1993 to 1997. Dave Welch is currently the Executive Director for the Greater Houston Area Pastors' Council in Houston, Texas.

“Old soldiers never die. They just fade away.”
--Gen. Douglas MacArthur

Sir David,

What a month. Both you and Barack Obama celebrating your 50th birthdays!

Although you are now becoming an “old soldier,” somehow I don’t think you will ever “fade away.” You are certain to go out with a bang!

I think back to our earliest connection—it was shortly after your family arrived at Evergreen Christian Center in Olympia. I was told that some young guy was out in the foyer registering people to vote. Hmph…that job belonged to Shirley Brundage and me! We were the official whack jobs that always made the pastoral staff uneasy—what with thinking that God is lord of all—even Church and State. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Welch.

Dave, while we’ve shared many worthwhile experiences along the path we’ve both been called to, one remembrance blesses me above most others when your name comes to mind.

It was some 17 years ago—probably that banner year of 1994 when you literally ran the tires off your car (as well as transmission and rear-end) recruiting Christians for county precinct work all around Washington State. This particular late spring Saturday morning, you, Paul Middleton, and I, were heading over Snoqualmie Pass for a ten o’clock breakfast meeting in Ellensburg with fellow Christian Coalition members.

We were just starting up the pass after a brief pit stop in North Bend, when you directed Paul to pull off to the shoulder behind what appeared to be a disabled car with hood in the air. As we approached the vehicle from behind, we could see a flat tire, and a lady standing nearby. She didn’t know what to do, especially with the locking wheel covers.

Now, there were several reasons why we could have been excused from pulling over. First, we were already running a few minutes behind schedule. Second, it was a busy highway and there were lots of other cars passing by and services were only three or four minutes behind us. And, third, we were dressed in business attire, including white shirts and ties. But almost before I could finish those thoughts, you had your sleeves rolled up and had pulled a tire and jack from the lady’s trunk. I’ll have to say at that moment, the Lord was showing me who you REALLY were—and are!

Some say that moments like that are opportunities for us to develop character. Nonsense. I say that moments like that reveal one’s character. I thank God for who you are in Christ.

I’ll always treasure that special memory of you, my friend. Have a wonderful 50th birthday.

Regulate Those "Baby-lovers"

2011-01-21T09:06:00.000-08:00

An abortion doctor has been arrested along with nine other suspects accused of murder and other illegal practices at West Philadelphia’s “Women’s Medical Society.” Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 69, is charged with eight counts of murder in the deaths of a woman following a botched abortion and seven other babies, who prosecutors allege, were born alive following illegal late-term abortions and then were killed by severing their spinal cords with a pair of scissors.

Gosnell, who has never been certified as an OB/GYN, is also accused of re-using unsanitary instruments and performing procedures in filthy rooms. Some of the rooms had litter boxes and animals present at the time of the operations. A search of his office revealed that bags and bottles holding aborted fetuses were scattered throughout the building. Jars containing the severed feet of babies lined a shelf. Investigators also said Gosnell allowed unlicensed employees, including a 15-year-old high school student, to perform operations and administer anesthesia.

In Olympia, reaction to this news has been swift. On Monday, the House Committee on Health Care &Wellness will hear HB 1366, “Concerning limited service pregnancy centers.”

Incredibly—and I mean INCREDIBLY—26 House Democrats have signed on to a bill that not only ignores the practices of in-state abortion clinics, it actually imposes new peculiar burdens on CareNet centers that exist to encourage and provided limited assistance for women who wish to carry their babies to full term.

Essentially, House Bill 1366 requires centers that do not provide abortion services to disclose that fact in five different languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Cambodian, and Laotian) in 30 point font on the front door of the centers, and on any advertisement or notice promoting the centers services.

HB1366 adds layers of regulations and liabilities associated with medical records that do not apply to any other medical/pregnancy (abortion) centers in Washington State.

And, HB1366 creates a private cause of action (lawsuit) against pregnancy centers for violations of any of the above regulations. In lawsuits against pregnancy centers anyone can be an aggrieved party even if that party has never been in or even seen a pregnancy center, and, there is no need to prove damages. Those who sue can collect legal fees if they win, but pregnancy centers cannot collect legal fees if they win.

In summary, HB1366 creates significant liability for faith-based pregnancy centers that receive no tax dollars while providing at least $16 million in free services to communities in Washington simply because they do not offer abortion services.

You may leave a message for your state representatives by dialing 1-800-562-6000—as I just finished doing.

Israel's Terrible Fires

2010-12-24T12:20:00.000-08:00

Worst Fires in Modern Era

You probably heard about the fires that were raging in the forests of Mt. Carmel in northern Israel earlier this month—the worst in Israel’s modern 62-year history. Forty-two Israelis died, more than 17,000 people from 12 Israelis towns had to be evacuated, and about 45 percent of the Carmel Forest was destroyed.

No doubt the reason I am still thinking about the fires is because in a few weeks I will travel through the Carmel Mountains with 31 others from the Puget Sound region. Mount Carmel is where the prophet Elijah squared up against 450 prophets of Baal.

Anyway, on December 6, we were asked by a devout Jewish lady we know in “Samaria,” to pray for “G-d” to spare Israel further carnage. So we prayed, as many did, and the next day the fires were out.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu learned of the Carmel fires late on December 2nd. Since Israel does not own any fire suppression planes, he called several foreign leaders for help. “Within 24 hours, said Netanyahu, “we had 10 planes in the air from many countries.” More planes came within 48 hours, including the American ‘supertanker’ that can drop 80,000 gallons of water in a matter of minutes.

“We have to face the possibility of fires in the future that consume a large part of Israel,” said Mr. Netanyahu, differentiating between ‘mega fires’ and normal home, office or factory fires. “This requires a fundamentally different strategic plan,” he said.

The Joshua Fund’s Joel Rosenberg said he couldn’t help but think of Ezekiel 38-39 which indicates that in the “last days” there will be fire raining down from heaven in the region. “The Lord’s purpose will be, in part, to defeat Israel’s enemies. But there could be collateral damage, and Israel will need to be ready to fight such massive fires to protect their own citizens, as well as to be a blessing to their neighbors,” said Rosenberg.

Meanwhile, our Jewish friend followed up with this email:

(Dec 7)—“…Today it is raining in Israel, for the first time in months. Indeed, since March, it has rained maybe two or three times, and each time not very heavily. I have no idea how long the rain today will last and whether it will mark the beginning, finally, of the winter season in Israel, but it is a great day in any case. A day worthy of praise to G-d who has seen to our needs and opened up the heavens.”

Indeed, God does attend to Israel’s needs—and ours—when we cry out to Him. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16)

It Really Hurts to Lose

2010-12-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

Election 2010 is already in the rear view mirror and we’re on to other things. But I received an email from a candidate who lost his race and I want to share it with you:

"Dear Rick,"

"As you've probably tracked, our deficit has widened in the latest recount. It isn't possible to make up this difference now. The trend is going the wrong way.

Obviously, I'm disappointed and a little mystified. I'll have to do some more post-election analysis to better understand what went wrong for us.

My wife, family, neighbors, supporters, and … are completely devastated. I have one volunteer who probably door-belled six precincts himself—solo. Many other volunteers and some donors as well. I hate to let people down, but I failed. It isn't as bad as experiencing the loss of a major start-up company and having to lay off 50+ employees who I recruited and worked with for years, but it probably ranks in my top ten un-enjoyable experiences.

I greatly fear that these local election results will embolden the other side. I also worry about the discouragement on our side... However, I have caused great financial hardship to my family which might be difficult to overcome, so I will need to resolve that challenge first. I don't know if this can be done.

We did not enter into this political race lightly. My wife and I prayed about it for months before we jumped in. The Lord seemed to open so many critical doors for us to do this, so as always, I expect that I can only look back from some future date and understand why. Perhaps we will never understand, but it is fulfilling to see a small part of His plan come together and at least understand a small piece of it. I also can't really explain why I felt so moved by God in this process.

Please keep my family in your prayers..."

I think this letter points out what a huge commitment one makes when running for public office. If you get a chance this week, let someone who gave it their best know how much they are valued.

Textbook Wars Continue

2010-07-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you have been following the debate between conservatives and liberals on the Texas State Board of Education. We have been interested because two states, Texas and California, drive the school textbook market through volume purchases. What they want in a school book will eventually wind up in classrooms in most other states. Well this is just in from Citizenlink.com:

“Late last Friday, the Texas State Board of Education passed social studies curriculum standards that strengthen requirements on teaching the Judeo-Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers and calls for the U.S. government to be referred to as a "constitutional republic" rather than "democracy." The guidelines will be used to teach some 4.8 million students for the next 10 years. They also will be used by textbook publishers who often develop materials for other states based on those approved in Texas.

In one of the most significant changes, the board—by a 11-3 bipartisan vote—approved strong language regarding religious freedom, which includes language from the U.S. Constitution and correctly identifies the source, context and intent of the popular phrase "separation of church and state." Additionally, the board rejected language to change the historic periods, B.C. and A.D., to B.C.E. (Before the Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era).

The approval came after some had wanted to remove or diminish references in the Texas textbooks to Christmas, Independence Day and our religious heritage. A majority of the board stood firm and voted 9-5 to strike down attempts to rewrite history. Former board chairman Don McLeroy, one of the board's most outspoken conservatives, said the Texas history curriculum has been unfairly skewed to the left and he just wants to bring it back to balance.

California State Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) has now introduced legislation that would ensure that none of the new Texas standards are reflected in his state's textbooks.” CitizenLink.com

As you can see, Sacramento now becomes ground zero in the school textbook wars. We believe this is an important development and we trust you will join us in prayer for California schools.

For Tea Party Candidates

2010-06-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

No doubt you are aware of the Tea Party movement and perhaps have attended a local rally or helped the cause in some financial way. Generally speaking, I am glad to see the grassroots movement gaining a foothold during this precipitous political season. My only reservation is the underlying (libertarian) premise that “fiscal issues” are at the root of America’s problems but “social issues” are largely a distraction.

A recent commentary in The Phyllis Schlafly Report (May 2010) addresses my concerns:

“The pundits like to divide Republicans into two classes, the fiscal conservatives and the so-called social conservatives, and pretend that their interests are different and mutually exclusive. In fact, the overwhelming reason for big government’s extravagant spending, which is properly railed against by limited-government conservatives, is the breakdown in our culture, which social conservatives have been battling for years.

If limited-government conservatives are dreaming of taking back America for fiscal sanity in the November elections, they should study how the unprecedented decline in marriage and the increase in illegitimacy are the major causes of our bloated government and its gigantic welfare spending.

In 2008, 40.6% of children born in the United States were born outside of marriage; that’s 1,720,000 children. This is not, as the media try to tell us, a teenage problem. Only 7% of those illegitimate babies were born to girls under age 18, and over three-fourths were born to women over age 20. The problem is the collapse of marriage as the social institution responsible for the costs of the care of children…

…The wrong-headed welfare system started in the 1960s with Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society and his proclaimed war against poverty. The system should have been called the war against marriage. LBJ’s Great Society set up a grossly immoral system whereby billions of people were taught that they had an “entitlement” to pick the pockets of law-abiding, taxpaying families if they met two conditions: they didn’t work, and they were not married to someone who did work. This destroyed the work ethic and subsidized illegitimacy by giving single moms money and scores of benefits such as welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, housing, utilities, and commodities.

LBJ’s welfare system undermined marriage and greatly increased all the social problems that flow from fatherless homes, such as drugs, sex, suicide, runaways, and school dropouts. The feminists rejoiced because all the cash went to women, thereby deconstructing what they called the oppressive patriarchy, and the liberals rejoiced because these handouts required more bureaucrats and higher taxes.”

Something to consider next time someone says he is “fiscally conservative” but socially moderate.

Upside of Down Economy

2010-04-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

During the past few months, much attention has been paid to the worrisome economic issues of our day. Jobless rates are on the rise as are taxes. Worse, government is taking over huge portions of the private sector, having squandered billions in public trust funds—even to the exhaustion of the Social Security system.

There is also widespread concern in the Church. Ministry leaders worry that reduced “monies” (giving) will greatly hamper the impact and effectiveness of local congregations. However, an article this week in ChristianPost.com challenges that assumption:

“A recent ‘Lean Staffing’ survey — conducted by Leadership Network, partnered with Christianity Today International's Your Church magazine and Leadership Journal — discovered that it is possible to do ministry on less. The survey was conducted in January, 2010, and polled 735 leaders from Protestant and evangelical churches across the United States with attendance ranging from 52 to 28,000. Of that, the study separated 539 respondents to generate the ‘lean staffing’ comparison. Fifteen percent of that group spends less than 35 percent of its budget on staff, while the rest spend between 35 percent and 65 percent.”

“Warren Bird, director of research with Leadership Network, notes that, based on the survey's results, he was encouraged to see ‘lean-staffing churches spend a higher percentage of the budget money outside of their wall. ... It can be done.’… However, what the survey doesn't reveal is a recipe showing precisely how those slim-staffed churches do it.”

“Bird did say some general patterns from the ‘Lean Staffing’ survey can help churches begin evaluating their thinking now. In particular:

• Lean-staffed churches averaged one paid staff member per 86 attendees compared to a 1-to-70 ratio for those that spend more on staffing.

• Lean-staffed churches generally spent 18 percent of the budgets on outreach, such as missions and community aid, compared to 15 percent by the other group.

• Based on those numbers, church leaders can determine their staff-to-attendee ratios and the percentage of the budget spent on outreach, and then evaluate how much, if at all, they want those numbers to shift.”

“Overall, churches with lean-staff budgets do more with volunteers and lay leadership development, outsource certain staff jobs, tend to have poorer congregations and have extra income sources beyond donations from members. And, to a lesser extent, they are larger in size (attendance), growing, younger in average attendee age, younger in age as a church, located in an older residential area and using at least three part-time staff for each full-time staff.”

Simply put, our faltering economy could force more lay leaders and volunteers to shoulder the “Ark of the Gospel” as is the case in other global regions where the Good News is spreading rapidly.

And the downside?

Men of Intemperate Minds

2010-03-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

Many leading conservatives look to former Democrat campaign strategist Dick Morris for political insights and forecasts. In his Newsmax piece this week titled “Obama Support Crumbling,” Morris wonders…if the Chief Executive seems in over his head, what were voters expecting when they elected him? Morris writes:

“One of my favorite quotes about politics comes from Henry Kissinger in his book "Years of Upheaval," his memoir of the Ford presidency: "A statesman's duty is to bridge the gap between his vision and his nation's experience. If his vision gets too far out ahead of his nation's experience, he will lose his mandate. But if he hews too close to the conventional, he will lose control over events." Now, at once, we see both happening to President Obama.

His healthcare proposals obviously ran afoul of the first of Kissinger's warnings. By pushing for changes that conflicted with America's values, common sense, and experience, he lost his mandate. In that disastrous push for an elusive goal, he ruined his own presidency… Indeed, his push for health legislation, in the face of rapidly eroding public support, ranks with the war in Vietnam, Watergate, and, of course, Clinton's healthcare initiatives as the most costly to their respective political parties.

But now, as he faces threats from Iran, domestic terrorism, continually high unemployment, and the swollen deficit, he also is violating the second half of Kissinger's warning: His politics are too passive and too conventional and, as a result, losing control over events. In the phase of presidential dithering in the aftermath of the Scott Brown victory in Massachusetts, there is no clear presidential message, no coherent strategy and, even, no identifiable program… He is experiencing both ends of the Kissinger prediction.

Republicans and independents are still in shock from his headlong rush into socialism while Democrats are increasingly restive and disillusioned by his failure to lead. And the entire country is worried at his passivity in the face of domestic terror threats and the rapidly growing Iranian momentum toward the acquisition of nuclear weapons…

Seemingly paralyzed by adversity, President Obama and his advisers are showing a lack of resilience in the face of reversals that is perhaps the inevitable outcome of his smooth rise to the top in 2008… All this might be what happens when you elect a state senator whose U.S. Senate career was consumed with his presidential campaign as president.”

Whether the actions of the President have caused an erosion of support for his administration or not, a majority of Americans sense that long-held rights and privileges are being chiseled away—and someone is to blame.

Englishman Edmund Burke (1729-97) identified a culprit. He reasoned that “Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites....Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”

Something libertarians might ponder.

Is America still "exceptional?"

2010-01-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

Thoughts about Haiti Relief Efforts

A Republican has replaced “the lion of the Senate,” the late Ted Kennedy. The mind-blowing come-from-behind win last week for Senator-elect Scott Brown over Democrat Martha Coakely, the liberal Massachusetts State Attorney General, is certainly one for the record books. To be sure, Mr. Brown is the current poster boy for conservative candidates across the country who have questioned if traditional common sense values can prevail at the ballot box in liberal states.

But after the “Massachusetts Massacre” fades from the headlines in the next few days, a continuing nightmare some 700 miles south of Florida in the nation-state of Haiti will still be of concern to most Americans—liberal or conservative.

At the outset, aid for earthquake victims began pouring into Haiti from two chief sources: The United States plus the rest of the world. America’s initial pledge of $100 million was answered by combined pledges totaling $43.4 million in relief from the European Union, the United Nations, and some 13 mostly western nations including the Czech Republic ($277,300) and Slovenia ($72,710).

When early lists of donor nations began to appear on the worldwide web, it was apparent that only nations with Christian roots or leanings were involved in relief efforts. Except for Iran’s Red Crescent which committed to dispatch 30 tons of food, tents and medicine (about a trailer load and a half), none of the 57 Islamic states showed up on any of the first responder lists.

Objecting to such reports and calling them lies, Islamic PR groups have since extracted spare change from a few member states. As of this date, we can report that at least 9 Islamic states have cobbled together approximately $4.6 million dollars for Haitian relief—just shy of the $5 million that Irish telecommunications company Digicel has donated so far.

Several Asian countries are also reported to be joining in relief efforts, including China, the world’s second largest economy, and India, who together will send $2 million to Haiti—about what Finland is sending. South Korea will pony up about $1 million.

Bottom line—America is the 800 pound gorilla when disaster strikes. Private U.S. based organizations are sending along another $275 million above U.S. government aid, demonstrating, as always, that America is there when the world needs help.

Does that make America an “exceptional” nation? Well, as FOX News says, “We report. You decide.”

How can one be hopeful in a time of despair?

2009-12-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

Jesus spoke of the conditions that would prevail on earth immediately preceding his return, saying, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earth-quakes, famines and pestilences in various places…nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world…” (Lk 21:10, 25)

But Jesus also promised that to those who seek truth, God reveals his eternal plans and purposes for good. It is his desire for men to believe in him so that none should perish but have everlasting life. When I heard that good news 38 years ago, I placed my trust in Jesus, the Son of God, who died on the Cross for my sins. Although not every problem vanished overnight, my worries and fears were replaced with peace—wonderful peace. You ask how I can believe that God is alive in such a world? It’s simple. He lives in me!

Someone once said, “If you trust Christ, earth will be as close to Hell as you ever get. If you don’t trust Christ, it will be as near to Heaven as you’ll ever be!”

Now that I know the Lord has come to rescue me, I have no reason to despair. Is there a better time than CHRISTMAS to share such wonderful news?

The Christmas Truce of 1914

2009-12-09T20:49:00.000-08:00

Some of the most interesting stories come from war.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about the amazing Christmas Truce of 1914. The British, French, and other allies were at war with Germany—it was World War I. Although both sides thought the war would be over quickly, neither was able to penetrate the other’s defenses. The fighting eventually bogged down into cold, wet and muddy, trench warfare. But something peculiar occurred in the evenings leading up to Christmas. Soldiers on both sides sang hymns!

By Christmas Eve, the combatants had decked their trenches with Christmas symbols. The Brits had their sprays of holly, while the Germans, in certain places, hung paper lanterns at the top of their trenches. For mile after mile along the front, groups of soldiers ventured out into “no man’s land,” singing Christmas carols as they recovered their dead or wounded.

And then came Christmas morning. It was cold and frosty at first light—and very quiet. Absent were the sounds of planes and bombs, cannon and rifle fire. Even though a cease fire had not been ordered, a Christmas truce was in effect. All up and down the line, enemy soldiers were meeting in the middle to shake hands and even exchange Christmas gifts. On the outskirts of Frelingheim, Germans rolled over a barrel of beer and the English brought along some plum pudding. Near Le Touquet, the Germans defeated the English—in a game of football.

Oh, that Americans should enjoy such a truce at Christmas. Imagine sharing hymns at public schools, displaying a crèche in public places without a court order, or finding sales clerks who are encouraged by management to say “Merry Christmas.”

A little tongue-in-cheek you say? Of course. But the increasing intolerance towards things that point to Christ during the “holy days,” should serve to remind us that there is a war, and we are Christian soldiers. We are not fighting for a temporary truce, however. Our Commander-in-Chief demands total surrender! At the moment of His return, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.

Merry Christmas to you, and yours.

Elections: Why waste our time?

2009-11-11T16:57:00.000-08:00

Results from two high profile gubernatorial races coupled with a handful of state ballot measures around the country, indicate strong voter dissatisfaction with the direction of “government” at the moment. Unless conditions change, next year could be another watershed year like 1994 when a record number of Democrat incumbents were “retired” from office. Bucking that trend during last week’s elections, however, were Washington State voters who evidently prefer status quo.

Voters in the Evergreen state were given a chance to rein in the rate of growth in state government but decided against Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033. His measure would have helped put back in place, the essence of I-601 which limited tax increases to a formula indexed to inflation and population. I-601 was a populist measure inspired by then Senator Linda Smith in the early 1990s but scuttled by Gov. Gregoire in 2006.

The “keep things as they are” point of view also prevailed in the highly-charged race for King County Executive. The conservative former KIRO news anchor Susan Hutchinson was dismissed by 58% of voters as “not a good fit for King County”—a phrase used in her opponent’s political ads.

And in another disappointing conclusion, Referendum 71, the marriage issue, was affirmed by voters, keeping in place a new state law that grants to homosexual partners, all marriage benefits that accrue to a man and wife. Approximately 53% of voters liked the idea. But here are some interesting facts to consider:

Voters in 29 out of the 39 counties do not like the new type of “marriage”—by a whopping 62% to 38%. In counties east of the Cascades, 65% of voters rejected the new marriage law. Nine counties west of the cascades rejected the measure 55% to 45%. So where was the hang-up?

King County

The county that doesn’t think Susan Hutchinson, a committed Christian, is a good fit for their county, also doesn’t think traditional marriage is the best either. While nearly two-thirds of voters in 29 counties rejected R-71, more than two-thirds of King county voters gave the nod to marriage benefits for homosexual partners. Talk about a mission field!!!

So why do we waste our time on such issues as marriage, abortion, sex education, drugs, gambling, etc.? Perhaps we take seriously, a warning to the church in Thyatira. Jesus said: “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality…”
(Rev 2:20).

Whether we win or lose the social skirmishes that seem to scout us out, we are determined not to “tolerate” the spirit of Jezebel that has gained such a stronghold in King County and elsewhere. As Churchill exhorted, “We shall never give up. Never give up. Never, never, never give up!

What town hall meetings?

2009-09-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

August has traditionally been a slow news month partly because Congress is in recess. Not so this year. Lawmakers have returned to their home districts to find a usually compliant constituency very anxious over the skyrocketing federal handouts and proposed government takeover of the nation’s health care system. Instead of local libraries, the solons have been forced to move town hall meetings to large public auditoriums. I tried to attend one at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in my home town and couldn’t get in. Over a thousand citizens filled the “Center” to capacity with hundreds more turned away.

But even amidst the ever-roiling political developments, I have been wonderfully reminded that God is still placing His people in key positions of influence.

This month I was invited to join several pastors and elected officials for dinner with a high-ranking Vatican official who was visiting Seattle. While we enjoyed some small talk in the realm of state and world politics, I was delighted that this official really only wanted to talk about JESUS. There is no doubt in my mind that both he and his wife have experienced a life changing encounter with the Lord of lords and the King of kings!

Another special event on my calendar for August was the ordination of a long-time friend to the Anglican priesthood. I first met him through our countywide jail ministry. For some years following his retirement as an Air Force colonel, he had felt God’s call to full-time ministry. I can’t say I know any other pastors or priests who first served thirty years in the military in preparation for such a calling, but I can say I believe this particular man is certainly called.

And, I just met a (Nigerian) brother in the Lord that attends a local Calvary Chapel. He and his family will be returning to his homeland in a few days to plant churches. But things are somewhat tenuous in Nigeria because of recent political changes—the former president was Christian and the current leader is Muslim. My friend well understands that elections have consequences. Even so, he also knows God is still on His throne.

What struck me is that all three: the Vatican official, the Anglican priest and the protestant missionary, serving on different continents in quite different capacities and expressions, are totally onboard with you and me on local and world issues. They hold the same views on most social issues, tax and spending issues (even the Obama administration) and most importantly—they are hoping for the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

How great it is to have so many brothers and sisters in the Lord around the world who don’t need to watch FOX News to be of the same mind and purpose. Makes one forget what the town hall meetings were about.

Pushing Back the Darkness

2009-08-17T16:08:00.000-07:00

“The mighty heroes of the world...conquered nations for themselves and made them miserable, the apostles conquered them for Christ and made them happy.” --Matthew Henry

We are witnessing great social upheaval in America. Long-trusted private institutions are being nationalized at a breathtaking pace. It seems history is moving at warp speed.

But noted historian Dr. Marshall Foster says that without the Church, there is no history! He argues that history is linear, not cyclical. It is cosmic in purpose, and God-centered, not the chance accumulations of a series of unrelated events. Each generation advances or attempts in vain to inhibit the growth of the Kingdom of God.

Great battles are raging in our communities that cause many Christians to shrink back from either confronting our “cultural” opponents or ministering to their needs. In some ways, we have allowed resignation to creep into our sermons and our mindset, conveying that we should remain inside the walls of our church buildings and just “hold on til Jesus comes.”

But history bears witness to the fact that the work of the Church has always been hindered. Following the Roman era, missionaries to Northern Europe confronted some of the most barbaric practices imaginable—often resulting in their death—yet they overcame.

In A.D.432, [Saint] Patrick confronted Ireland, a nation lost in the worship of the gods of darkness. Defiantly, he lit huge bonfires on hilltops and invited the people to worship the God of light. Much of Ireland was converted by the time Patrick died in 461. Similarly, in the eighth century, Boniface, an English Benedictine missionary, found people in Germany worshipping their god, Thor, under a great oak tree near the city of Geismar. Some historians say he took an ax to the tree and used it to build the first tabernacle in Germany. More-to-the-point, fear of false gods among the people was broken.

Certainly, each generation has its Goliath or Thor. The great evangelist Charles Finney became president of Oberlin College in Ohio and from that platform became one of the first national voices to speak out consistently against slavery in America.

Like the Apostles before them, they turned their world right side up through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commands to ...teach all nations...to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you... (Matt 28:19, 20)

What wonderful purpose illuminates us and moves us to action when we realize we have not been appointed to ride out the storm. We are commissioned to push back the darkness.

Same-sex whatever. Is it your concern?

2009-01-23T13:26:00.000-08:00

By: Rick Forcier, Christian Coalition of Washington

Sometime ago we launched a statewide referendum calling for the legislature to defend existing laws on marriage, and, if necessary, pass a constitutional amendment defining and permanently preserving marriage between one man and one woman.

Perhaps you were among tens-of-thousands of Washington State citizens that signed the referendum. If so, I want to thank you for making your voice heard.

As a result of the referendum, a group of legislators drafted a resolution calling for a state marriage amendment. So far, no Democrat in either state house has signed the resolution. This means that we will need more than a referendum to prevent the legalizing of same-sex “marriage” in the State of Washington.

But, if you are on record as supporting traditional marriage, may I ask why? What is wrong with same-sex couples that love each other and want to get married? Why do you think that affects you, your family, and your community? Why is it any of your business in the first place?

If you have difficulty articulating your understanding of the matter, you are not alone. Many don’t know how to respond when long-held moral beliefs are challenged, especially by friends and family members—and more so—when the subject is homosexuality. Besides, as Christians, we don’t want to be in the uncomfortable position of “judging” others.

Right?

Following the horrifying events of 9-11, President Bush told Congress that America “is not in a war of our choosing.” Similarly, the Church is in a war it did not choose but must vigorously prosecute until the Lord returns. Christians in many parts of the world are casualties of that war. In America, the war is still largely a “war of ideas.” One of those destructive ideas is the notion that marriage is not ordained of the Lord; that it is not necessarily vital to the nurturing of children; and the concept of “family” should be radically altered.

The Apostle Paul said, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.” (2Cor 10:5) To help you do that, I would like to send you our monthly briefing that deals with contemporary issues affecting you and your loved ones. It has become a staple for many pastors, lawmakers, and those seeking to “understand their times.” (1Chron 12:32)

To receive our complimentary monthly briefings, write to us at info@christiancoalition.us and I will also be delighted to send you several back issues that might help you develop “talking points” when discussing same-sex marriage with co-workers or writing letters-to-the-editor. I hope you will do both in an effort to change the hearts and minds of those who “hold the truth in unrighteousness.”

Meanwhile, we are comforted, knowing that GOD is raising up people like you for such a time as this.

Sincerely,

Rick Forcier

Why not abortion?

2008-05-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

Henry Bergh was a New York philanthropist appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to a diplomatic post at the Russian court of Czar Alexander. During his time in Russia, Bergh was greatly disturbed to see work horses mercilessly beaten by their peasant drivers. While passing through London on his way back to America in June 1865, Bergh decided to visit the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The visit not only awakened his determination to charter an ASPCA at home, but also to exercise the power to prosecute those who mistreat “these mute servants of mankind.”

Back in New York, Henry Bergh began speaking in schools and public meetings. He pointed out that protecting animals was an issue that crossed party lines and class boundaries. “This is a matter purely of conscience; it has no perplexing side issues,” he said. “It is a moral question in all its aspects.”

Bergh’s impassioned accounts of the horrors inflicted on animals convinced the New York State Legislature to pass a charter incorporating the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on April 10, 1866. The first effective anti-cruelty law in the United States was passed nine days later. His efforts also led to the inspections of slaughter houses, the closing of dog and rat-fighting pits, and the passage of anti-cruelty laws in 37 of the 38 states by the time he died in 1888.

But, more importantly, Bergh’s dramatic rescues of mistreated horses and livestock served as a model for those trying to do as much for abused children. In 1874, nine-year-old Mary Ellen McCormack was found tied to a bed and brutally beaten by her foster parents. As a result, the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was formed and Henry Bergh served as one of the organization’s first vice presidents.

Imagine. No challenge to Henry Bergh’s premise that mistreating animals (or children) is a moral question without perplexing side issues. That is because the underlying MORAL aspects were universally understood.

Unfortunately, the moral aspects of most social issues in our time are not understood or even considered. For instance, all elected officials in our state consider it an immoral criminal act to purposefully harm a household pet, but few find such application for the killing of a pre-born human being. How illogical is that?

We are inspired by the accomplishments of Henry Bergh. And we are inspired by your continued support for our efforts to bring moral clarity to the defining issues of our day.

Rick Forcier

"Unity or Doctrine?"

2008-04-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

I am a frequent “guest panelist” at a very liberal seminary in Seattle. But I have been told that my belief that the Bible is the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), is somewhat disturbing and “dis-unifying.”

Some time ago, I came across a sermon by Pastor Sam Crabtree, Executive Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis titled, Do Mature Christians Pursue Unity or Do They Pursue Doctrine? Here is an excerpt:

“This is of course a trick question, though not tricky. Paul's instructions are plain that we are to pursue both unity and doctrine. Further, pursuing both at the same time will be one indication that growth is occurring. ‘...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph 4:13-14).”

Some see doctrine as divisive, discordant, and disagreeable. Others see the avoidance of doctrinal clarity as the slippery slope to the church's undoing. So how can Christians grow in unity without compromising the church's foundations for unity, and yet simultaneously press for clarity in doctrine without becoming quarrelsome?

One way is by contending in love; that is, standing for truth in the face of error. ‘...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ…’ (Eph 4:15). People who grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ are the same ones becoming increasingly ready apologists for God's truth in order to graciously benefit God's people, balancing courageous firmness with tender love. One need not be a busybody or a burdensome crank in order to correct someone for their sake. This is what Paul did in corresponding with the Galatians and Ephesians. He contended, but without being contentious…His was an attitude of pastoral contention, battling for doctrinal essentials but for the sake of the people in beholding God's glory. There is a holy tenacity that defends truth, even at great personal risk.

Such contending for truth is pivotal if the aim of evangelism and missions is worship. Worship presupposes knowledge. To worship God in truth is to approach him on the basis of his self-disclosure. To get a wrong answer to the question ‘What is God like?’ is to go down a path of ignorance or superstition or idolatry… worship must be rigorously informed by revelation…There will be little unity in corporate worship if we sweep away precision in understanding just which God it is we are worshipping.”[1]

I persuaded one of the distinguished pastors on our advisory board to take my place at the seminary last month. He contacted me within a day or so following the event to tell me his hosts were very gracious. When I raised the question of their theology, he said, “They are clearly whack-jobs.” We both had a good laugh.

The Christian Coalition was established “to encourage and equip the Church to be an effective, well-informed voice for moral clarity in a rapidly changing culture.” Thank you for helping us accomplish that mission.

[1] Sam Crabtree, Do Mature Christians Pursue Unity or Do They Pursue Doctrine?, 7/6/1999, www.desiringGod.org

Church or the Real World

2008-03-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

To be sure, Christians watch television. Some are driven by a need to be entertained but most are simply looking for anonymous and effortless connections to the outside world. We are curious by nature and we want to know “what’s happening?” But, while television provides us with news (and gossip) that stimulates, it never really satisfies our need to know “the rest of the story.”

Where contemporary events are involved, I believe Christians are as informed as non-Christians. But who informs us? Do we get our news from someone with a biblical worldview or someone with a decidedly “worldly” outlook on life?

It is the perception of far too many Christians that there are two essential spheres in life. Sunday Church is a small sphere and the real world is a large sphere, and never the twain shall meet. We have been deluded to think that God concedes certain areas of our culture—that He doesn’t claim it all. That's a lie! Scripture says "The earth's is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof."

Each night, ideas, ideologies, and philosophies that come against the knowledge of God are piped into our living rooms. If they are not addressed in church, it is easy to understand why many Christians are taken captive.

Martin Luther said that "Where the battle rages [culture wars] there the loyalty of the soldier is proved..." That means that although the earth is the Lord's, Christians sometimes have to go down to the Valley of Elah to post an eviction notice.

Friend, until Jesus returns, that is the real world!

Rick Forcierinfo@christiancoalition.us

Cane Ridge Meeting

2008-02-13T13:56:00.000-08:00

My wife and I had an opportunity to visit two special places while visiting one of our kids and his family in Lexington, Kentucky last week. Following a scenic 45-minute drive through Kentucky’s low rolling hills, we found the Cane Ridge Meeting Hall (built in 1791) a few hundred feet off a forgotten two-lane country road. It is believed to be the largest one-room log structure standing in North America.

Cane Ridge was ground-zero for America’s “Second Great Awakening.” In August, 1801, some 20-to-30,000 settlers hitched their wagons and came from hundreds of miles for a 3-day weekend of old-time “camp meetings.” They stayed, however, for two weeks when the Holy Spirit came in power, igniting fires of revival that swept quickly across the nation—lasting for decades.

We also headed north from Lexington along I-75 to Florence at Kentucky’s northern border. Our destination: Ken Ham’s new Creation Museum. It opened last year—attracting double the number of visitors expected.

Advertising on the Museum’s web site says: The Creation Museum presents a “walk through history.” Designed by a former Universal Studios exhibit director, this state-of-the-art 65,000 square foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life. A fully engaging, sensory experience for guests. Murals and realistic scenery, computer-generated visual effects, over fifty exotic animals, life-sized people and dinosaur animatronics, and a special-effects theater complete with misty sea breezes and rumbling seats. These are just some of the impressive exhibits that everyone in your family will enjoy.

In the Hall of Mammals at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, visitors are greeted with a sign that says, “Welcome to the Mammal Family Reunion! Come, meet your relatives.” At the Creation Museum, it’s more like, “Meet GOD. He will help you make sense of nature and LIFE.”

We were impressed that Ken Ham wastes no time attacking or disproving evolution. Neither does he use scientific evidence to lend credibility to the Word. Rather, he says “Look at what GOD says and look how nature complies.” The main theme in each exhibit seems to be: “Same facts, different conclusions.”

In one of several state-of-the-art theaters, the Gospel is shared and viewers are invited to trust Jesus and receive forgiveness for sin. It is obvious that Ken Ham and the folks connected with the Creation Museum are “not ashamed of the Gospel.”

Neither are we at the Christian Coalition of Washington. Because of our name, it is impossible for us to disguise our intentions in the name of “traditional” or “family values.” We are, in fact, a network of Christians who unashamedly lift up the name of JESUS.

And we can do no other.

Rick Forcier

Welcome!

2008-02-13T11:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome! 2008 stands to be one of the most pivotal years in church history. Check back for insightful commentary by Rick Forcier.