Your Nickel's Worth: Why it matters.

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DFPC

Dear friend

When you engage, it matters. The outcome of the latest battle for marriage was not what we had hoped, but it was expected considering the activists who now hold legislative positions. Equality Delaware's Executive Director made this comment to the Human Rights Campaign,

"We also had tremendous help and support from the staff in Legislative Hall. Just as many of the legislators have become our friends over the years, so have the staff members. And when you have staff members on your side, you can accomplish just about anything!"

This is no surprise. When those who believe in the truth of God's Word are uninformed and unengaged, it creates a vacuum and those with an opposite worldview have filled those posts for years. We knew this going into the civil union battle.

We are resolved to stand for truth no matter what. That truth is rooted in Genesis 5:2. God made us male and female. We do not believe in a genderless society where men and women are interchangeable or unnecessary. That is exactly the agenda that is being incrementally promoted and enforced at the expense of religious liberty. (Be informed. The national organization that is pushing this agenda and pumping money into Delaware is www.HRC.org).

Does our involvement really make any difference?

YES. In light of our recent battle, I urge you to see your involvement through the framework of stewardship. We have a responsibility when we know the truth. In a culture plagued with deceptive, confusing, and sensual messages at every turn, we must hold on to God's Word. The message of salvation and the redemptive, transforming power of the Holy Spirit is what sets people free. Our acceptance of this gift comes at the realization of sin, and the absence of pride and rebellion.

If we believe in this message, may our love for those around us, compel us to share it, with everyone.

We have a responsibility to not only stand for Truth, but to live it, to live it in such a way that our kids, the young ones around us, want what we have because they experience the result of Christ's work in us. They experience Christ's love even in our correction and shaping of their hearts. They see us overcome adversity through prayer and see us overcome our own selfish natures and serve our spouses and families. They see humility when we make mistakes and we seek their forgiveness, they see us get stronger and stand for things that matter. They see us seek answers in how we teach them to defend their faith, and equip and navigate them through changes and turbulence. They see a relationship with Jesus that surpasses what this world has to offer. They see how God honors obedience somehow, someway, all the time.

This is why we engage. Because of the recent civil union battle, more leaders are awake and engaged. More than ever before, skilled and committed people are joining the DFPC team and new people have become involved for the first time. More of us are reaching out in relationship and ministering to lawmakers. We are positioned to make a difference in 2012. We must keep moving forward, strengthening our faith, learning how to defend it and being resolved to stand for it. Standing for and living out the truth that we know is not optional or dependent on what the world says is a "win." We never know who is watching from the sidelines or how God is advancing his plans.

This Easter weekend, may you feel transformed by the depth of the love that led Jesus to the cross to take on and conquer our sin, and by the life giving power in His resurrection.