Is It To Late?

Reprint from Dale Gentry:

August 19, 2013

Dear Breakout Prayer Network,

I'm very thankful to each of you who pray with me daily concerning another spiritual awakening in America and also other nations of the world. 

Concerning America, it's evident that we are a nation out of control. I hardly recognize the country that I've grown up in.
What has happened to this land of the free and home of the brave?

We can blame our demise on the president, congress or other entities. We can blame other factions or factors, but I believe most of the blame should rest squarely on the shoulders of the American church that I call the "the silent majority." 

As Christians we have given our children over to government (public schools) that teach secular humanism. They follow these teachings into major college and universities that are hotbeds for humanism, socialism, immorality and teachings of Islam. The Muslim movement is rapidly gaining momentum as the Aljazeera television network enters the homes of millions of Americans this month. 

Our president is continually endorsing and promoting the homosexual movement while one well known Hollywood Star declared just this past week in USA Today that she is encouraging parents to let their children invite their friends of the opposite sex to have a "sleepover" or "move in", admitting that she lived with her boyfriend when she was 14 and is planning on encouraging her children to do the same. The very moral fiber of our nation is unravelling before our very eyes with little resistance.   


All of these outlandish viewpoints are being swallowed hook, line and sinker by millions, including many Christians as well.  Where does the problem lie?

I believe the problem goes straight to the pulpits of America 
where many pastors are afraid to tell the truth to their parishioners. They are silent when it comes to naming sin. When it comes to declaring to their congregations what is holy and unholy. The difference between righteousness and unrighteousness. Many of our church services in America are nothing more than motivational speeches presented by feel good leaders who want to remain neutral by not offending anyone, including leading pastors in America who are working hand in hand with the woman who is America's top show host. The one who believes there are many ways to heaven. 

Much of this liberalism is being fueled by false- grace preachers who are indoctrinating their members that there is no longer a need for repentence. Many leaning in the direction of Universalism which teaches there is no hell or it's only a temporary experience. But after 46 years of full time ministry, I have seen history repeat itself and I saw this movement rise and fall when I was a boy, with "do whatever makes you feel good" principles turning into the moral decay of a generation of church leaders and Christians. "Billy Graham wonders what his late wife Ruth would think of a nation in which self-centered indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle".

Today I'm announcing that I'm standing with 94 year old evangelist Billy Graham who is praying that America will experience another great spiritual awakening. 

This awakening will come as we repent and call for a spiritual cleansing, accompanied by churches gathering to pray on a regular basis.  


Thanks again for your faithful prayers. I believe we are making a difference.

Gratefully,

Dale Gentry
P.S. Please encourage a friend to sign on and pray with us by going to www.letsprayamerica.com. 

Life is More Than...

Yesterday we received a new "Hopper" from Dish TV.  I watched the half hour program that highlights it's features, and if your are a TV enthusiast, it is the bomb!  The installer did not finish until 7pm.  After he left I took a shower (thinking room) and was reminded of something my oldest Son Joshua, posted a little over a week ago.  Joshua wrote that he was upset that Dish took away his favorite channel.  Corina, my youngest Daughter, wrote back; First-world problems!  As most of you know, Corina is a Missionary in South Africa.  When I got out of the shower I walked into the living room and my Bride was setting up Caleb's channels on the Hopper.  When I walked by she said; This is definitely a first-world thing.  Carey went onto say that most of our (Americans) problems we experience are a result of all the "things" we have available to us.  This just confirmed that I needed to blog about this.  I went to bed thinking about "Life", and what it was more than.  With that as background, let's look at what Life is More Than;

Life is more than food!  I love to eat, and either people have a tendency to overeat or not have enough to feed themselves or their families.  Few people can consistently eat to live instead of live to eat.  When I had an opportunity to go to South Africa with a mission team from church and work side-by-side with my Little Girl, we were fed by the people we were trying to minister to.  Myself and our Youth Pastor, Scotty Jarrard, discussed the issues with food before we left.  When we arrived, some food was the same and some was very different.  God impressed on both of our hearts to eat what was put in front of us.  They gave us the best they could and we were not going to insult them by not eating.  Later Pastor Scotty read to me Luke 12:23; Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

Life is more than clothing!  Our mission team was gone for sixteen days.  We had a limit on what we could bring and the season there was Winter.  Their winters are usually cold and wet, with the majority of homes (if that is even what you would call them) don't have heating or air.  We ministered to children mostly, several who did not have appropriate clothing for the temperature.  Some of the kids wore the same thing everyday and only had flip-flops for shoes - during WINTER!  Several of the ladies on the team wanted to buy clothes, however our host, Pastor Greg Matthei told us not to.  The reason is that if some of the kids came home with nice clothes, either their older siblings would take them, their parents would sell or trade them for drugs or alcohol or they may get beat-up for them.  Even as a man, some times I wonder what to wear.  When we can't decide on what to wear, we must have more than we need.  Don't get me wrong.  We should be THANKFUL to The Lord for all He has given to this Nation.  When we say we are blessed beyond measure, we are!  God blesses His people to  bless others, not to keep.  We have become Constipated Christians!  We are keeping to much in that God wanted us to release to others.


Matthew 6:25 NIV  Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

The above scripture is not directed to the kids who lack clothing, but those of us with an abundance who lack giving.  The context is about serving money or God?  Each day we must make a choice on whom we will serve (Joshua 24:14-15).  If you are chosen by the King, you shouldn't feel guilty for what you have but blessed, however with that blessing comes responsibility.

Life is more than food, clothing, money, houses, retirements, sports, stuff, politics, even more than health!  It is not about finding balance but about finding Jesus.  It is not about using but being usable to the Creator of your life.  God does not desire to be number one on a list of ten, but number One on a list of one!  He is the overcomer and as a result of His substitutionary death, burial and resurrection, we CAN have Eternal, Everlasting Life.

Only then we can share it with others...
Blessings
ernie