Pastor's Perspective — A blog by Pastor Wendell Smith

Recently our President declared that we will be sending more troops to Iraq as a risky new initiative to try to end the war, stabilize the nation and, Lord willing, implement an exit strategy for our troops.

We all realize this demands that the Iraqi people themselves must step up to both appreciate and defend their new- found freedom.

While there are plenty of fears, concerns and even vicious criticisms of this new step by President Bush, we can nevertheless appreciate that he has a plan. With no plan or the over-simplistic approach of “just get out,” most thinking people and discerning leaders realize that Iraq would probably collapse into chaos and end up worse than her beginning. Even Jesus says that when an evil spirit is cast out, it attempts to return with seven other spirits more evil than itself, and finding the house swept and clean enters back into a man and the end will be worse than before. There must be a strategy to replace what has been eliminated.

Democrats or Republicans cannot afford to simply decry one another’s plans without having one of their own. The mettle and ingenuity of our leaders is being tested and stretched to the limits of their political abilities. We are living in an age where complex problems are going to easily and quickly outdistance human wisdom. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to see politicians call the nation to prayer and fasting? Wouldn’t it be monumental to see government leaders bow their knees together in bi-partisan prayer and ask God Almighty for divine assistance? We might get a lot done if we didn’t care who got the credit.

We all hate war. None of us wants to see our best young men and women put in harm’s way. We want peace. We pray for peace. We pray for wisdom for our leaders and for Iraqi leaders to establish justice and a strong defense for that nation so that terrorists are defeated, eliminated, exiled, and deterred. And through this we have the hope of peace in that part of the world.

While we are passionate for peace, here are some points of perspective regarding the war:

1. Terrorism is being engaged and directly confronted.
2. A vicious despot has been dethroned and defeated and freedom has been given birth. The wicked man who has been taken out of the way was committed to the decimation of the nation of Israel. God is using America and her allies to protect His chosen people.
3. Religious and social freedoms have been established and Christian churches are flourishing in the societies of Iraq and Afghanistan.
4. While we weep over every casualty of war on foreign soil, we should also weep at the tragic loss of life that is regularly happening in the streets of our own cities. In some regions of the United States, more lives are lost to murders, gang shootings and drug wars each week than have been lost in Iraq in total. And these numbers do not include the holocaustic destruction of young Americans every day through abortion. Would to God we would be as vocal and concerned about stopping that war.
5. We do thank God for a God-fearing President who is doing his best to make decisions that will positively affect many generations to come. We need to pray for him and our other leaders. They will make mistakes, but the responsibility of believers is to pray and intercede for those in authority that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life!

Let us all rededicate ourselves to fervent and effective prayer. Prayer changes things. History belongs to the intercessors! None of us likes war. But perhaps the war we truly need to wage is a spiritual one where principalities and powers are engaged and defeated; where authorities are supported and uplifted and souls are protected and delivered!

One Pastor’s perspective, Pastor Wendell Smith

It is hard to believe that it was five years ago this week America was viciously attacked by terrorists. The images of the Twin towers burning and then collapsing are still etched in our minds. It still seems like a nightmare.

Many of us baby boomers are still impacted by the images of November 22nd and the assassination of an American President in Dallas, Texas. The date of 9-11 will forever carry the same historical and cultural meaning to those of us who watched the events unfold before our eyes on live TV.

The world changed that day. It will not return to its former status. In some ways, it changed for the better in that Americans, as well as others, gripped the reality of the existence of evil and of ideologies that are dramatically contrary to common sense and human decency.

Recently, a noted broadcast commentator stated in his editorial for the news program 60 Minutes that Americans should “change the way we live, so that people would not hate us”! I was surprised by this statement and his apparent refusal to believe in the existence of evil.

Evil does exist and the events still on the horizon of humanity will only reinforce this Bible doctrine. There is a devil and he is the one who hates people. There is an enemy of our soul and his bent is to steal, kill and destroy. There is an accuser and his destiny is hellfire, and he desires to take all of mankind with him- if it were possible. But there is also a good God who has shown His great love through the sending of His only Son Jesus. And through Him he has provided forgiveness, healing, blessing and life- abundant life!

The Church will continue to confront evil through her prayers and proclamation of the good news. Don’t be deceived into thinking that if we were more educated, or more peace loving or more passive, somehow we would avert these catastrophes. No, evil is real- it is a spirit and it is unrelenting in its assault against all that is good- and especially anything that is rooted in the goodness of God. We however are committed to ongoing and ceaseless prayer for the defeat of evil and the spreading of good.

It is a runaway best selling book in America and in many other nations around the world. On May 19th it will be released as a major motion picture. Book sales have increased this week with the publishing of the paperback. Multiple millions of copies have sold and even more millions of people have read the book.

The text of Dan Brown’s new novel “The Da Vinci Code” assails the divinity of Christ, purports that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, declares that He had children, asserts that the church has been involved in a massive theological cover up for two thousand years and suggests that there are alternative Gospels one might read. The fictitious book is filled with the lies that would make the early apostles cringe. However, the doctrine of the novel is nothing new since the writers of the New Testament addressed many of these heresies in the first century. Same principalities, same devil, same anti-christ spirit (see 1 John 2 and 4)!

Our culture is being saturated with the philosophy of a fictional book that is coming across to people as if it were fact, truth and history. The Bible tells us that people will turn away from the truth in the last days and be turned to fables (2 Timothy 4:3,4). How could people be so gullible and so easily deceived? There is a reason! When a person rejects the knowledge of God (see Romans 1:28) they must embrace another philosophy of life. The presentation of a heretical doctrine is then quickly accepted when it reinforces one’s bias against God.

To acknowledge even the existence of God, let alone His laws and commands, is to admit that one is a sinner. In order to cover or eliminate one’s conscientious conviction of sin, one must get rid of God. In order to get rid of God, one must find enough evidence to do so. Dan Brown, albeit fictitiously, has provided ammunition for those who doubt and those who violently object to the intrusion of the Almighty into their lives. But here are the realities:

1. The book is a novel! It is fiction not truth — not history — not fact! (2 Timothy 4:4)
2. The book is built on a sandy mix of man’s opinions, lies and deception, revision of history and partial truths. One cannot build anything on this kind of revelation. (Matthew 7:26, 27)
3. People who are looking for an excuse to reject Christ, or a reason to accuse the church of hypocrisy — have been given a new tool to do so. (Romans 1:18-32)
4. It will not produce good fruit. People will reject faith. People will lose hope in the Only One who can give it. (Matthew 7:15-20)

Having said all these things, how should a believer respond to this obvious assault against the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ? This is no joke. This is not just another book or movie. It is a serious attack against the divinity and reputation of the only One who can save the human soul. It certainly is an aggressive offense to all those who believe and all those who know and love our Lord and Savior.

Nevertheless this is not a time for us to stand on the street corners with signs of impending doom, yelling at passersby and telling them where they are going!

Instead this is a golden opportunity for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Josh McDowell recently said this may be the greatest opportunity for evangelism in our generation — “bigger than Narnia and the Passion of the Christ” put together.

The Bible tells us that even the wrath of man will bring praise to God!

“Human opposition only enhances your glory, for you use it as a sword of judgment.” Psalms 76:10 (NLT)

We should not worry about trying to defend God or His Word. He can handle that. Rather we should ask the Lord for wisdom and insight as to how to give an answer for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:6). We need to ask the Holy Spirit to increase our love for people. Not everyone is wicked and looking to defame God. Most people are part of the multitudes in the valley of decision sincerely searching for truth.

Dr. James Garlow, who recently spoke at The City Church (listen) addresses these issues in his best selling book and resources. They are directed at addressing the Da Vinci Code phenomena. Here are some highlights.

1. Look at this as an opportunity for the Gospel and pray for open doors of conversation.
2. Don’t react to people in anger, respond with wisdom (Col. 4:6)
3. Engage people in conversations about Jesus
4. Look for opportunities to invite people — to a small group (we are starting Da Vince groups)
5. Present the real Jesus to those who are hungry and searching — and pray with people to receive Christ as He opens the door! (use the Word of God)

Novel, motion picture, modern day heresy — all these are opportunities to present Jesus Christ in a fresh way to a new generation! We might actually end up thanking Dan Brown.

He doesn’t have a clue, and Da Vinci didn’t have a code. But Jesus has the answer for the human heart!

This past week eight people’s photographs lined the front page of USA Today and other national papers. The eight were the “lucky” ones who won the US Lottery. They are the new millionaires of America. The total winnings were $136 million. Their individual winnings were $22 million apiece. After taxes each received a lump sum of approximately $15 million dollars. There were seven men and one woman, friends and co-workers at a meat packing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska. Three had emigrated from other nations- two from Vietnam and one from Africa.

They had pooled their money and purchased forty lottery tickets. One ticket had the winning numbers and their lives were forever changed- and actually, “changed” might not be the best word to describe their present state- amplified might be better. As it has said “money simply makes us more of what we are”.

I pray these eight people will make the right choices with their new wealth. Their sudden riches will put new and demanding pressures on them. Similar to descending into a hundred feet of ocean water- the pressure is intense and life threatening or being transported to the top of Mt. Everest- where the air is thin, the oxygen rare and every move must be measured and sure.

The downside of “good fortune” as some call it, has been manifest for all to see. While some may have survived their new found wealth, others have crashed and burned.

USA Today news reported the following in an article dated, February 26, 2006:

• “William “Bud” Post, who won $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania Lottery in 1988, had a brother who tried to have him killed for the inheritance. Post lost and spent all his winnings. He was living off Social Security when he died in January.”
• “Two years after winning a $31 million Texas Lottery in 1997, Billie Bob Harrell Jr. committed suicide. He had bought cars, real estate, gave money to his family, church and friends. After his death it was not clear whether there was money left for estate taxes.”
• “Victoria Zell, who shared an $11 million Powerball jackpot with her husband in 2001, is serving time in a Minnesota prison, her money gone. Zell was convicted in March 2005 in a drug- and alcohol-induced collision that killed one person and paralyzed another.”
• “Evelyn Adams, who won the New Jersey Lottery twice, in 1985 and 1986, for a total $5.4 million, gambled and gave away all of her money. She was poor by 2001, and living in a trailer.”

(Contributing: Bill Welch and USA TODAY research.)

Bankruptcy, suicide, death threats, lawsuits, prison and poverty; these things are not good fruit for something that has been so widely promoted in our society as “good fortune”.

The Bible tells us clearly what will happen to people whose riches come quickly.

“Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” Prov 23:5 (NKJV)

“A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.” Prov 28:22 (NKJV)

“There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.” Eccl 5:13-14 (NKJV)

“The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.” Eccl 5:12 (NKJV)

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’” Matt 19:23-24 (NKJV)

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’” Luke 12:20-21 (NKJV)

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Tim 6:9-10 (NKJV)

“A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” Prov 28:20 (NKJV)

The Scripture also describes people such as the rich young ruler who walked away from Jesus of Nazareth because of his possessions; or the rich man Lazarus who ended up in hell after spending his earthly life in pleasure and despising the poor; or the prodigal son who wasted his inheritance with riotous living and had friends only as long as he had money.

If we could trade, I trust most of us would take friends, good health, mental well-being and a good reputation over instant wealth! One winner said his daughter would be happy for the rest of her life. I wonder! Another said “everyone has dreams”. I hope the dream does not turn into the nightmare others have experienced.

Obedience to God’s economic laws of hard work, diligence, tithing, giving and good stewardship will always produce good fruit. Riches gained hastily will not be blessed in the end.

The majority of the Northwest had a vested interest in our local team and most of were convinced that the Seahawks were good enough to conquer the Pittsburgh Steelers. But it was not to be, or maybe it was but it didn’t happen. There has been a lot of press time given to the officiating after the game ended in a Pittsburgh World Championship. Even Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren remarked, “I didn’t know we were going to have to play the guys in the striped shirts.” Even the most biased critics felt it was an unbalanced job of officiating a game and that key plays for Seattle were negated by calls that should not have been made. However, it’s history now and Pittsburgh has a fifth ring to add to its players’ collection.

All of us have experienced injustice in life. We have all probably gone through something that was unfair and unjust. It is one of life’s cruelest experiences. I recall many sports games where my son or daughter were on teams that seemed to receive unfair treatment from all too human referees. I hated it because I hate injustice. My favorite movies are the ones where the bad guys get it in the end and good triumphs over evil. That’s the way it ought to be!

Seattle’s pro football team may have been shorted by the officials, but that happens. Life isn’t always fair and bad things can occur in all our lives - even to good people. It is our response that is paramount. It is our attitude that is most important. It is how we get up when we’re knocked down that can turn evil into good and negative circumstances into something that can actually build our lives in a positive way. Injustice can be turned into character in the hearts and minds of those who commit their souls into the keeping of a faithful Creator - and the One Who will make all the final calls.

Yes, a replay challenge has been thrown onto the field of life and our loving Heavenly Father has it all under review as we speak. Trust Him to work all things together for good in your life today!