Siege in the Desert

This coming Friday, August 4, a prayer event begins in Arizona called "FaceDown40 - Siege in the Desert" which will continue through the Arizona primary elections (Tuesday, September 12) and culminate on Wednesday, September 13. It involves 40 days of prayer and fasting, multiple locations and numerous ministries, with worship teams and intercessors from across our state and nation. A few of us began with a quiet prayer-walk at sunrise this morning around the Arizona State Capitol grounds after the order of Joshua, chapter 6-- a "Jericho March". You can check out the website www.azhop.net for more information on "THE SIEGE".

Preparation for War

I am not a physical war veteran. I need to say that up front. I haven't personally experienced the preparation for war by going into physical battle knowing that I had a mission before me with my life soon to be in harms way. I have not experienced going through a check list of making sure that I have everything in order-- my uniform, supplies, weapons, instructions, etc. -- ready to go on the traditional battlefield knowing that my life depended on it. I suspect that far fewer of us in this generation have personally experienced what the previous generations have more commonly known. My father was in the Navy deployed overseas in the '40s. One of my brothers was in the Marine reserves, but saw no action. He now is an undercover detective and experiences the preparation for war in the battle against drugs. His life depends on his daily preparation. I do know friends in the armed forces fighting in the Middle East. Even the world in general seems to be becoming a more dangerous place. War is about us at many levels.

There is also spiritual warfare for the things that matter in our culture. This is not imaginary. As in the natural, so the spiritual. For those of us who have joined the spiritual war, it is equally real. The spiritual warfare is greatly intensifying. The preparation for spiritual war all the more essential.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses" - 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" - Ephesians 6:12

Rule Restored

From the beginning in Genesis, God made us to be rulers over the earth. As I gaze out over the ocean and spend my last day with my family at my favorite Southern California beach community, I ponder Genesis 1:27-28... "and God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

From the beginning God made us to be rulers. His desire is that we exercise His nature of good government over the earth. We are made in His image. But Adam and Eve's fall included relinquishing authority to rule the earth to the evil one. Jesus came to restore good government. "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders... there will be no end to the increase of His government" (Isaiah 9:6-7). As we become conformed to Christ and move by His Spirit, we will see the restoration of the establishment of good government. This will change the government in our personal lives, families, businesses, schools, churches, and the political arena-- "over the fish of the sea... and every living thing that moves on the earth."

Foggy Beaches

So often on the beach, the morning brings with it a blanketing fog. No sun. It takes awhile for the sun to do its work of revealing the grandeur of the ocean and warming the sand. Sometimes it is the afternoon before the fog is burned off. But, somehow, the sun eventually breaks through and we have these glorious beach days.

On the Beach

I've enjoyed the privilege of California beach life with my family for the last week (hence the less frequent posts). We take in the pleasant salty cool breeze, warm sand, and occasionally jump out into the surf. The ocean fills the horizon before us. We only see the surface, but we can "feel" the vast depth. More and more I see the political ocean that way. Its impact is deeper than we know.

Time for a Stand

I have been reading a paper on "Principles of War" by Jim Wilson. In it he makes a telling statement:

"If there is no turning point, the defender will be defeated. There will be no turning unless a stand is made in a defensive-offensive battle. Yet, seemingly, in the minds of many Christians, a defensive position in the spiritual life is considered a virtue and an offensive position a sin. Defense is associated with the innocent party, as though we expect only the wicked to take up the offense. For this reason the virtuous pride themselves on being defenders, instead of taking up the offensive for truth, justice, holiness, and a powerful personal witness. This sometimes results in the pathetic situation of the virtuous enjoying defeat. Let us never forget that without an eventual offensive, defense only anticipates ultimate defeat... Perhaps it is time for a stand."

Global Warming - #2

On June 11 I entered a post about global warming in which I stated my skepticism toward the issue, particularly considering the conflict of interest of those touting its importance. My wife and I recently read the following in Psalm 46:6 -- "The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted." Now that is global warming!

Battle Above Battle

Do you ever get the feeling that some battles are about larger things than what is most obvious or being spoken? Even in a battle that is brutal, there can be the sense that it is about something more significant-- there is a battle above the battle. The political realm is often like that. There is the spoken battle over public issues, almost a list, where sides are defined, the duel to the political death carried out. Meanwhile, there is also a greater battle being waged, very real, with deep effect for the future. It is given to some to enter this arena as well. Can you hear the clash of these weapons?

Serious Business

For God, government is serious business and the Bible includes many serious warnings from God addressed to those who abuse power. God's judgments may not always be immediate, but they are inevitable. "Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth" (Psalm 2:10). "Woe to those who enact evil statutes, and to those who constantly record unjust decisions" (Isaiah 10:1). The right of governing is a sacred trust that requires the fear of God (Micah 6:8-9).

More Fireworks

The deadline for candidates to turn in their required signatures to be placed on the Arizona primary ballot is past. Except for write-in candidates or perhaps some unusual happenings, the slate for the 2006 elections is now set. Some of the key political dates ahead are August 10 and 14, and September 12. August 10 is the day mail-in ballots become available. I understand that a huge percentage of voting now occurs ahead of Election Day through mail-in balloting, which steps up the need for campaigns to impact early. August 14 is the final deadline to register to vote for the primary elections. I understand that as many as 40% of eligible Christians are not even registered to vote! That is an absurd breach of responsibility. September 12 is Primary Election Day. I count 70 days from today to September 12. Expect a lot of fireworks along the way.

Fireworks

As the fireworks of July 4th celebrations go off, hidden behind the sound and display is a raging warfare for the soul of our nation. All that we've stood for as a nation under God, freedom and truth, and the valuing of every life, is hanging in the balance. The call to awake and assemble is upon us. The real fireworks are coming.

A Greater Greatness

It is very important to celebrate our victories. All is not right with our nation, but would you rather be a citizen of another? I believe we have the opportunity to see a greater greatness than ever before in our nation under God. We are in a war, both externally and internally, and to the victor will come an inheritance for the next generations. That inheritance is good if we appeal to God and seek His ways. July 4th celebrates the great victory of the inauguration of our nation. It is impossible to fully comprehend the debt we owe for the blood and sacrifice of our forefathers. We thank God for the inspiration they found in Him. July 4th reminds us that what we have should not be taken for granted, and that an even greater greatness is possible.

Political Power

Words. Ideas. Ideals. Standards. Laws. Political power. It is fascinating to realize the impact of words, especially when combined with authority (or perceived authority). In a moment, the air may turn electric with significance simply because certain words have been spoken. A law may appear by legislative decision. Standards may change instantly by a judicial fiat. Great dissension or reconciliation can occur with a word. The power of the tongue to do harm or to do good is legendary. As an athlete growing up, I was always skeptical of the true power of words. I thought physical prowess the more obvious and greater activity-- certainly not the subtle movement of the mouth. I have been steadily growing in awareness of how much ideas matter, and the corrolary: how much the manner of the presentation of ideas matter. Therein lies much of political power. It matters who wields that power.