Jun 29, 2010

America--A CHRISTIAN Nation

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12)(NKJV)





Throughout the history of our nation, God has blessed us because we are a Christian nation. Yet we now have a President who apparently doesn't consider us to be Christian any longer. It seems that many want to deny that we've ever been Christian despite the physical evidence on our greatest monuments and buildings in Washington, D.C. For instance:

The Washington Monument--The latin phrase "Laus Deo" is engraved on the aluminum capstone. It means "Praise be to God." Lining the walls of the stairwell are carved blocks with such phrases as "Holiness to the Lord", and "Search the Scriptures."

The U.S. Capitol--In the house chamber stands a marble relief of Moses surrounded by twenty-two other lawgivers. "In God We Trust" is also inscribed in the chamber.

The Supreme Court--The Supreme Court building has several places showing Moses with the Ten Commandments. The two doors leading into the courtroom display the ten commandments, and the commandments are also engraved over the chair of the Chief Justice.

The Jefferson Memorial--Inside, one of the panels reads: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."

The Linclon Memorial--President Lincoln's famous speeches are inscribed into the walls. On the left side is the Gettysburg Address. He said, "We here highly resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom."

Despite all of this evidence, in recent years there has been much written in an effort to dismiss the fact that America was founded upon the biblical principles of Christianity. But no amount of liberal propaganda can change the cold, hard facts. Anyone who studies and examines the biographies, original writings, personal correspondence, and public statements of the founding fathers of our great nation will find an abundance of quotations which show that they were profoundly influenced by the Bible and Christian values. Add to that the personal writings concerning their faith in Christ, plus their leadership in establishing many Bible societies and their active service in ministries, and the evidence is too much to ignore.
Here is a sample of the convictions of some of the founding fathers of our nation:

"My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!"--BENJAMIN RUSH, Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ."--PATRICK HENRY, Governor of Virginia

"We recognize no Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!"--JOHN HANCOCK & JOHN ADAMS

"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."--JOHN JAY, First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

"He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all...Our forefathers opened the Bible to all."--SAMUEL ADAMS, Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"...to the supreme head of the universe--to that great and tremendous Jehovah--Who created the universal frame of nature, worlds, and systems in number infinite...To this awfully sublime Being do I resign my spirit with unlimited confidence of His mercy and protection."--HENRY KNOX, Revolutionary War General

"The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity...I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."--JOHN ADAMS, Second President of the United States

"Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth...nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God."--JOHN HANCOCK, Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Chrisitian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."--CHARLES CARROLL,
Signer of the Declaration of Independence

There's no doubt that our country was born as a Christian nation. What's not certain is whether we will remain Christian in the future. And if we don't remain Christian, we might not remain as a nation. With a president and administration seemingly hell-bent on undermining and overturning the Christian values and beliefs that our great nation was built upon, the future doesn't look promising. It's time for all patriotic Christians to stand up for what we believe in--to stop taking our freedom and liberty for granted--time to take a stand against government control and takeover-- so that our land will continue to be a blessed nation whose God is the Lord!



Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper

Jun 21, 2010

Walk a Little Plainer


Yesterday was Father's Day, and I was blessed to be able to spend some time with my kids. I had an enjoyable lunch with all four of my children, and that's kind of a rarity these days since the oldest two don't live with us any longer. As we visited I was reminded of the rewards and responsibilities of parenting. As a Christian father I've always believed in the importance of teaching my children about God and how we should live our lives for Him. I would hope that they've seen that even though I'm not perfect, I've always tried to do more than just "talk the talk." Through my commitment to worship, Bible study and service I'd like to believe that they're seeing a dad who also "walks the walk." I need to be sure that I'm walking a clear path that each of them can follow to a closer relationship with Father God.

When my son was in the 2nd grade, he made an art project at school for me. At the time he probably thought he was just coloring and gluing something that we could hang on the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. But in actuality, it's been something that has helped to keep me grounded on what's important as a father. I still have the piece of paper that was glued to green felt 13 years ago with a poem entitled "Walk a Little Plainer" by an unnamed author. I'd like to share this poem with you now:

Walk A Little Plainer
Walk a littler plainer, Daddy, said a little boy so frail.
I'm following in your footsteps,
and I don't want to fail.
Sometimes the steps are very plain.
Sometimes they're hard to see.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
for you are leading me.
Some time when I grow up
you're like I want to be,
And I will have a little boy
who'll want to follow me;
And I will want to lead him right
and help him to be true.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
For he must follow You.

I encourage all of you fathers and mothers to walk a little plainer. Be a good example for your children--a holy example. Let's be the example that Paul teaches of in Philippians 3:17, and again in 1 Timothy 4:12 where Paul admonishes Timothy to be an example for fellow believers. We need to do our best to be godly in all our ways and at all times because our children's eyes are watching us--looking to us for guidance by example even when we have no clue that they're watching. We should endeavor to be a true reflection of Christ because our kids are looking up to us. There's a beautiful song recorded by Phillips, Craig and Dean that does a wonderful job of capturing this idea. I recommend that you listen to it if you've never heard it before. It's called "I Want to Be Just Like You".

He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug
He calls me Dad and I call him "Bub"
With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh
He snuggles up close and says, "I want to be like you"
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight
Trippin' over the toys as I turn out the light
And I whisper a prayer that someday he'll see
He's got a father in God 'cause he's seen Jesus in me

(chorus)Lord, I want to be just like You 'cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see
Help me be a living Bible, Lord that my little boy can read
I want to be just like You 'cause he wants to be like me

Got to admit I've got so far to go make so many mistakes and I'm sure that You know
Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try with all the pressures in life
I just can't get it all right
But I'm trying so hard to learn from the best
Being patient and kind filled with Your tenderness
'Cause I know that he'll learn from the things that he sees
And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me
(repeat chorus)

copyright 1994 Joy Becker and Dan Dean

So dads and moms, I know that none of us are perfect; but I encourage you to strive (with God's help) to be more and more like Jesus so that when your children read the pages of your life it will be as if they're reading a living Bible--so that when they look at you they will see a glimpse of their Heavenly Father. Let's all walk a little plainer for our children's sake!

Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper

Jun 11, 2010

Just A Vapor

Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. (Ps. 39:4-6)(NKJV)


Some people claim to believe in God and the final judgment, but you would never know it by their lifestyle. They live like the devil, apparently with no concerns, because they say to themselves, "I'll come to God when I'm old and gray, or when I'm on my deathbed. I've got plenty of time to worry about spiritual things later." The devil himself is probably whispering those kind of ideas into their ears so that they won't hear the call of the Holy Spirit on their hearts, so that their heart will grow cold to the conviction of the Spirit in their life.

Jesus taught on covetousness in the parable of the rich fool found in Luke 12:13-21. This parable also touches on the uncertainty of life: And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." 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?' (Lk. 12:19-20)(NKJV)

The Bible warns us not to boast about what we're going to do in the future. Take a look at this passage from the book of James: Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (Jms. 4:13-14)(NKJV) Compared with eternity, that's just what we're like. We're just a whiff of smoke, a ripple in the wind, a passing vapor. I wrote the song below many moons ago. It reminds us of how temporary this life is, and how important it is to be ready to stand before God.


Just A Vapor


(vs.1)Have you ever wondered why
your life seems like it's slipping by
There's something missing but you don't know what
You have your dreams but that's all that you've got
(vs.2)Some say life is tough and then you die
what ever happened to the abundant life
you have no clue but you try to forget
push it all aside but you still have regret
(chorus)'Cause your life is just a vapor
Days are just like passing shadows
Don't wait until tomorrow
to get ready to face the Lord
You're just a vapor
(vs.3)We forget until friends pass away
that our life is precious even today
You say tomorrow that you'll get it straight
but you're gonna find out tomorrow's too late
(repeat chorus)
(vs.4)Don't you boast about tomorrow
when you don't know what a day may bring forth
you can watch your plans amount to nothing
you can worship money but it's all in vain
(repeat chorus)


We forget until friends pass away
that our life is precious even today
you say tomorrow that you'll get it straight
but you're gonna find out tomorrow's too late
You're just a vapor
You're just a vapor


copyright 1990 Heart of Praise Music



So I encourage you to make sure that you're not waiting 'til sometime in the far-off future to settle spiritual things with the Almighty. Because you might not have as long as you think. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. So get right with the Lord today, and then you will have something to truly live for!

Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper

Psalm 122:1

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." (HCSB)