The Rise of the State--March 22, 2010

During yesterday's DVD Lesson from The Truth Project, we considered the pathologies of the state. What happens, for example, when the state's role as "punisher of evil" begins to grow? Who defines 'evil' for the state and who decides the punishment for the manifestation of 'evil'? We talked about examples of how the power of the state has run amock. I shared with the class our emotional visit to the Memorial for European Jews in the heart of Berlin. The memorial was designed to make one think about the staggering loss of life in Europe when a government went out of control--when a government became judge, jury, and executioner. I mentioned that the number of people murdered by the government or in the name of the government created a list so long that it will take a narrator years to simply name the names of each victim. That narration is occurring in the Berlin memorial even as we speak and, having begun in 2008 and continuing 24-7, has not yet been read through a single time. As history has demonstrated time and time again, goverments can be evil and governments can abuse the power which they usually wield.

What about our government? Most of us would agree that the United States is the best place to live in the world and that our form of government is by far the best government under which to live. Yet, we can see the rise of the state in our own land. The state has extended its influence into all walks of life--marriage, education, work, the food we eat, the products we buy, our finances, and just about everything else one could imagine. Indeed, as of yesterday, the government has taken a huge step toward taking over the healthcare industry. Are these things bad? Should we be concerned about a goverment that makes it more lucrative financially for a couple to live together out of wedlock than to get married? Should we be concerned about a government that, in some states defines marriage as a union between same sex individuals as well as a union of members of the opposite sex? Should we take issue with a government that appears to feel entitled to take our first fruits and to spend without regard in order to fund its own agenda?

I am thankful that I can write such words without fear of goverment reprisal. That is not true in many parts of the world. However, I am also seriously concerned that our own government has headed down that road on which civil authority and the power of the government begins to assume that it is all-powerful and fails to recognize the sovereign power of God as the ultimate source of truth and life. We all need to pray diligently for our country and for our leaders. We need to pray for repentence and for revival in the United States of America!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Kyle Halbert was in Sunday School yesterday. I accused him of coming to Sunday School to get some sleep. Ha! He reported that Natalie and the new baby are doing well. Amen! Thank you Lord!

I spoke with Ashley Swope this week to check up on her surgery that had been scheduled. She did not have the surgery and has postponed the surgery. Please keep Ashley in your prayers.

As mentioned in Tracey's prayer list from class, please keep Laura Brittain in your prayers this week as she is undergoing testing to try to address chronic breathing and sinus problems. Laura is just recovering from sinus surgery and is still facing challenges from this condition. Let's pray that the doctors will identify the problem and relief will be forthcoming in a big way.

CLASS SOCIAL
Please mark your calendars and join us for a class social on April 9, 2010. Since the church is offering parent's night out on that date, we have scheduled a potluck supper at the home of Jimmy and Cindy Creel--8431 Turtle Rock Loop (Emerald Forest Subdivision) 979-695-1684. Everyone come and bring whatever you wish to share with others. We started a sign-up list this week. Here is the current sign-up information:

Meat/Main Dish

Laura & Brian Brittain--casserole
Beth and Bo Miles--Deer Sausage
Michelle and Terry Lovingshimer--Mexican Casserole
Cindy and Jimmy Creel--Chicken Tortilla Soup


VEGETABLES

Kathleen and Bill Gutierrez--Green Bean Casserole


DESSERT
Gena and Steven Higginbotham


Other

If you have not signed up and plan to attend, please send an e-mail to jimmycreel@suddenlink.net and let us know what you would like to bring.