There is always a way into peace and joy even in the middle of tribulation. The nations can be raging, the kingdoms of power can be moving, but God will utter His voice, and everything will melt and stop.

It seems that the United States of America is getting a bad rap. Americans are frequently criticized for being selfish, materialistic, and self-absorbed – “greedy capitalists”. But is this true? The U.S. actual giving has increased from $54 billion to $390 billion between 1954 and 2016.

This bride is one that is completely desired by the King. That kind of intense love and affection is what causes worship to spring up in the heart of the bride. It is a response to His great love.

The worship that comes out of her is pure and not afraid of rejection. It is this abandoned worship that makes the bride even more beautiful and more desirable to the King as she comes bringing gifts. He draws her close, entreating her to leave behind all worldly relationships and cleave only unto Him, her bridegroom to whom she is now betrothed.

We’re accustomed to politicians who see all sides, talk all sides, take all sides.

Personal ambition too often rises above principle. Fear weakens conviction. Indecision clouds courage. Apathy steals confidence. Deception covers surrender and confusion prevents judgment.

If we’re not careful, this can happen - to you and me.

Persecution is real.

Not only in ancient Israel did the children of Israel go through intense times of suffering but throughout Christianity especially in the dark ages – this Psalm has been used to bring comfort in the middle of Christian persecution.

Have you ever considered what it would be like to know you are going to be burned at the stake? 

Ben didn’t want to think the worst when the money came up missing. It had to be an honest mistake - not embezzlement. It wasn’t a big company - about 80 employees on average. There was a logical explanation, a bookkeeping error, an innocent oversight.

Trying to convince himself, Ben wrestled deep inside. This had never happened before. Ever.

Sometimes it feels like the world is against us. Many times – we feel the oppression and the pressure of a national crisis beating down on our hearts and minds. The Psalmist in Psalm 43 felt that too – so these five small verses were his way of dealing with the pressure.

Hunger for God – it sounds so deep and theological, but it can manifest in an ache, a longing, and a feeling of exhaustion without Him.

I can just imagine the deer without water for hours upon a time and panting at the edge of the brook for a drink. Finally, the deer has arrived after miles of travel to the source of life. It leans over and fully drinks. How refreshing it is!

If we insist on viewing history through an inverted ideological periscope, our vision of the future will be irretrievably blurred. Without the guidance and wisdom of the past, we will drift off course, and our Ship of State will lie at anchor.

It is right to be aware and concerned. For the follower of Jesus Christ who loves and cares about people, ignorance can never be bliss. The eagle, not the ostrich, is our example. Neither must the state of our times rob us of our Christian joy and hope.

If you are reading this blog, it is because at some level you care deeply about our country and your community and you are concerned about the trajectory of both.

God sustains us, cares for us, and watches over us with His love. He does not forget about us. He doesn’t stop praying for us. He upholds us.

So just like Him - the needs of the household of faith should always be a priority for us as believers.

Here’s your guide to each Proposition listed on the upcoming Constitutional Amendment Election

***Our Texas Constitutional Amendment Election is November 2, 2021. Early voting opens on October 18 and ends on October 29. Make sure to look up the locations to vote and the hours on the website of your local county elections department. Don’t forget to vote in this important election.

Why do Constitutional Amendments appear on a ballot? In Texas, citizens vote periodically on proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. How does that happen?

Article 17 of the Texas Constitution governs amendments to the Constitution.

The state legislature may propose amendments to the Texas Constitution by two thirds vote of each House.

To become law a proposed amendment must be approved by a majority of the citizens of the State of Texas who are qualified to vote.

Therefore, in the years when the legislature convenes, Texans get the opportunity to vote for or against changes to the state Constitution.

***Our Texas Constitutional Amendment Election is November 2, 2021. Early voting opens on October 18 and ends on October 29. Make sure to look up the locations to vote and the hours on the website of your local county elections department. Don’t forget to vote in this important election.

Winston Churchill insisted that courage was the greatest virtue - the virtue that made all others possible.

In his leadership of Great Britain during World War II, Churchill demonstrated the truth of his assertion. It was his courage that marshalled and united the English people against the Nazi war machine.

The promise of the transformation of our lives is not just for us – it is for the others who will see it and be changed. We so often lose perspective on the effect of our great salvation upon the world around us; but the beginning of Psalm 40 is a promise.

Christians, we can’t say we believe in God and then walk into the polling place and throw our Christianity out the window – voting for people just because we think they are nice or we want to have a diet coke with them. We must make these critically important decisions on who we vote in as our elected representatives with the mind of Christ and submitting our decisions to His Lordship.

Check out the vision behind the Wake Up! Conference on November 5th and 6th. We are hoping this is a spot of inspiration for you in your journey connecting your faith with your civic duties and burden for America. Join us!

A brief perusal of media including social media clearly reveals that this is a time for ALL hands to be “on deck” and engaged.

We, as Christians, must stand up for the issues that we care about, and we cannot be silent. Age should not be a deterrent – we need everyone in their 60’s, 70’s, and even 80’s – the gray-haired generation to rise up. 

*** On September 29th - Bunni Pounds, President of Christians Engaged, testified in front of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee on the weaponization of the IRS. Here are her remarks in writing.