Time to Go on Self-Righteous Offense

We are living in a unique historical moment where we will need to change some of our attitudes toward politics, confrontation, and activism if we and our children are to survive as free people and as Americans bequeathed with God-given rights. Furthermore, if we do not begin to take off our soft, kid gloves, our children will be forced into an indoctrination (in the name of “civil rights” and “social justice”) that will acculturate them into anti-Americanism as well...

"I Have Long Been Silent...."

"...yes, I have restrained myself. But now I will give full vent to my fury; I will gasp and pant like a woman giving birth." --Isaiah 42:14 (NLT).

It's been awhile since I last posted here, but only because the Lord has had other venues for me. Now, however, it appears the time is right for me to proclaim and publish what has long been a burning fire shut up in my bones, as I have waited upon Him until "utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel...that in {proclaiming} it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" --Ephesians 6:19-20 (NASB).

Much has happened, a mixture of good and not so good, in the interim since I started this blog. Most germane to the focus here, however, is that as I had felt led to dissociate myself from the Foursquare church at which I had held a staff ministry position (and associate myself with an independent local fellowship, and then start my own ministry), I have since been inducted into a couple of national pastoral registries that are of dubious distinction. Let me expound upon the dubious distinctives of these groups.

The first group was set up by Dr. Chuck Baldwin (the current Constitution Party presidential candidate) out of Pensacola, Florida, and is called the "Black Regiment." Quoting from his website: The "Black Regiment" was a group of patriot-preachers from virtually every protestant denomination located throughout Colonial America at the time of America's fight for independence who courageously preached the Biblical principles of liberty and independence. The moniker stems from the tendency of these patriot-preachers to wear long, black robes in their pulpits.

The inspiration for this directory comes from the scores of people throughout America who have contacted me asking if I knew of "Black Regiment" pastors in their respective cities. This directory is an attempt to help the many hundreds and thousands of Christians across America who desire to fellowship and worship with a courageous pastor who knows what is going on and is not afraid to preach truth to power. Men who are not enamored with political correctness or political parties. Men who love America's Christian history and heritage. Men who support and defend the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. Men who preach the Bible and are not owned by committees. Men who do not grovel before the wealthy and affluent. These are the kinds of men who comprise the "Black Regiment."
The second group has just recently been formed by Pastor Don Swarthout of Lexington, Kentucky, and is called "Patriotic Pastors." Quoting from his website: One of the inspirations for Patriotic Pastors is the legacy of Rev. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg. Muhlenberg was preaching a sermon on January 21, 1776, when he reached a verse in Ecclesiastes, "To every thing there is a season...a time of war, and a time of peace...." Then this Patriotic Pastor proclaimed, "...and this is the time of war." In a moment of true pastoral patriotism he removed his clerical robe to reveal his Colonel's uniform underneath. The next day he led out 300 men from the county to construct the Eighth Virginia Regiment.

John P. G. Muhlenberg ultimately became a Major General and was highly respected by his fellow countrymen and soldiers. He was instrumental in forming the Pennsylvania "Society of the Cincinnati" and other patriotic groups to promote statesmanship. His statue still appears in the United States Capitol today, depicting Muhlenberg removing his clerical robe (seen draped from his right shoulder) and revealing his Continental Army Colonel uniform and sword. We are appreciative of the precedent Rev. Muhlenberg left us as a model for the truly Patriotic American Pastor. This demonstrates that our Founding Fathers were undeniably strong Christians whose belief in God was essential to their ideas about government.

That's pretty heady stuff for a redneck country boy like me, no doubt. But more to the point, is America really ready once again for pistol-packin' parsons who preach as much about Constitutional liberties and rights as they do about bringing in the sheaves? To answer that, it is necessary to take a cold, hard look at the times in which we live. The Times They Are A-Changin', as Bob Dylan declared back in the sixties--except he always was a prophet way ahead of his time, because those lyrics ring true now more than ever:

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.
What battle is this, you ask? Why, it's the battle for the very soul of America, no less. Our Constitutional rights and liberties are being eroded and watered down daily, it seems, while the majority of Americans are more concerned about their idols and dancing stars. New World Order designs upon our Republic abound, facilitated by demonic henchmen in and out of government, and yet we "dwell in [our] paneled houses while this house [of state] lies desolate" --Haggai 1:4 (NASB). While our elected leaders assure us of "'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape" --I Thessalonians 5:3 (NASB).

It is time to sound the battle cry, a clarion call to first wage warfare in the heavenlies: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" --Ephesians 6:12 (KJV). "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)" --II Corinthians 10:4 (KJV). As for dealing with the rest of the here and now realities of this earthly realm, Jesus said to his disciples: "And he who has no sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one." --Luke 22:36 (MNT). How we are to wield our earthly swords (the equivalent of today's defensive handguns) is a matter best left up to the Holy Spirit's guidance for each of us.

"Do Not Despise the Day of Small Beginnings...." -- Zechariah 4:10a

This weblog is an exploratory outreach venture of Shechinah Ministries of Golden Valley, Arizona (still under advisement and still under construction--akin to the state of humankind for which it was created and to which it addresses itself).