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Ah, Nebuchadnezzar....


                "Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
                Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:15-18) 

            Politics is ugly, even at the best of times. Yesterday, President Obama apparently declared that schools that expect funding must provide transgender children access to the restroom and locker room that makes those children feel comfortable. For the moment, put aside the actual issue (as crucial as you may think it is.) The president has made many declarations demanding obedience from people of the nation. That obedience demands the violation of Biblical principles and teaching.
           It is unlikely the upcoming election is going to change the situation. Whether the demand that we bow to whatever happens to be the current "image of gold" is made by the president, or by society or some of its subgroups, the demand will be made, and the number and range of demands will increase. We have no more right to say "no" than Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did. They said "no" and they were willing to face the consequences, whatever they might be.
           Paul had much the same response. "If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:22-24)
            I do not know for certain that it will reach the point of being a "life or death" question in your lifetime, but what if it does? It already has in many areas of the world. We would be foolish to think we are somehow exempt.
           I'm not calling anyone to join any movement, write to any political official, or even share this post (though that would be nice.) What I am suggesting is that these questions are the questions that every Christian in every generation must face. Will you stand in accordance with the teaching of the Bible, even if it means dying? Will you answer  as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, or the martyrs have, or will you bend your knee in service to the golden image called "Kindness," "Inclusion" and "Tolerance"?
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On the Calendar
Orbiting of Skylab 1

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