Glorifying Christ One Blog at a Time
While It Is Still Day
The Baptist church at Olchon, Wales (like other Baptist churches and many other dissenters) endured "mockings, scourgings, bonds and imprisonment" under the direction of King Charles II and the Church of England. The Baptist Church met in secret by night, in the woods, on Black Mountain or rough rock. (History of the Welsh Baptists, p. 45)
I've never been whipped for what I believe. I've never been imprisoned nor have I endured many of the hardships these faithful saints endured. I thank the Lord for His mercies. Many of those who lived in the British Isles during this time escaped to America in hopes of finding freedom to worship God the way they believed they should. Their legacy gave us the freedom to read the Bible, worship in the church of our choice, and the freedom to express what we believe in the manner we choose.
How long will we have those freedoms? An undercurrent flows beneath the facade of freedom we have built around ourselves, and I fear that some day we may come full circle. I personally have a sense of urgency in this matter. I have my faith, I have my beliefs, and currently I have the freedom to express it . . . but for how long?
Perhaps this produces, in part, my desire to write fiction. My characters can be as bold as they like, and as long as I make them believable and compelling, I can say a great deal through them.
The world of publishing is changing. Opportunities are opening up in ways we might not have imagined twenty years ago. With the Internet accessible to the majority of Americans and many people around the world, we have a potentially large market once only available to those who sold through bookstores.
Through brick and mortar stores is still the most successful way to get your writing into the hands of the people, but that is changing. And that change allows me the freedom to explore other publishing opportunities beyond the traditional publisher. I'm not confined to their content guidelines (and, of course, neither are others who might disagree with me).
Now is the time to get my message out there, while I have these freedoms. Now is the time to share the Gospel with as many as I can. We saw what happened during the Iranian elections, how many let the world know what was happening through the Internet, and we saw the Iranian government shut that down. Could such censorship happen in North America (is not Fox News, and men like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and others who have stated their opinions, experiencing a certain type of censorship)?
The instruments are in place. The ability to stop the freedom of the press is within the reach of the hand of our governments. I believe it is possible that in the future we will be meeting in secret by night, hiding in the woods, and heading to the mountains to escape persecution.
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. . . And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:9, 14
For myself, I must do all I can, while it is still day, to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, before the night comes. And given recent current events, I believe that is not too far away.
I've never been whipped for what I believe. I've never been imprisoned nor have I endured many of the hardships these faithful saints endured. I thank the Lord for His mercies. Many of those who lived in the British Isles during this time escaped to America in hopes of finding freedom to worship God the way they believed they should. Their legacy gave us the freedom to read the Bible, worship in the church of our choice, and the freedom to express what we believe in the manner we choose.
How long will we have those freedoms? An undercurrent flows beneath the facade of freedom we have built around ourselves, and I fear that some day we may come full circle. I personally have a sense of urgency in this matter. I have my faith, I have my beliefs, and currently I have the freedom to express it . . . but for how long?
Perhaps this produces, in part, my desire to write fiction. My characters can be as bold as they like, and as long as I make them believable and compelling, I can say a great deal through them.
The world of publishing is changing. Opportunities are opening up in ways we might not have imagined twenty years ago. With the Internet accessible to the majority of Americans and many people around the world, we have a potentially large market once only available to those who sold through bookstores.
Through brick and mortar stores is still the most successful way to get your writing into the hands of the people, but that is changing. And that change allows me the freedom to explore other publishing opportunities beyond the traditional publisher. I'm not confined to their content guidelines (and, of course, neither are others who might disagree with me).
Now is the time to get my message out there, while I have these freedoms. Now is the time to share the Gospel with as many as I can. We saw what happened during the Iranian elections, how many let the world know what was happening through the Internet, and we saw the Iranian government shut that down. Could such censorship happen in North America (is not Fox News, and men like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and others who have stated their opinions, experiencing a certain type of censorship)?
The instruments are in place. The ability to stop the freedom of the press is within the reach of the hand of our governments. I believe it is possible that in the future we will be meeting in secret by night, hiding in the woods, and heading to the mountains to escape persecution.
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. . . And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:9, 14
For myself, I must do all I can, while it is still day, to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, before the night comes. And given recent current events, I believe that is not too far away.
What about you? Are you prepared to take a stand on Truth; are you prepared to give your all so that one soul (or many) might be know the salvation God provides through the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter the cost?
Comment
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Comment by Carmen Gamble on November 15, 2009 at 9:05am - Enjoyed this post. We keep a pretty close eye on current events as well. I don't know how people can miss some of the signs of the age. Sometimes I wonder if I'm strong enough to survive any kind of persecution...we've been lulled into such a false sense of security on all levels in our society...even christendom. The fact is, I'm pretty black and white...and really, there is no other way for me to go. So I will stand!!
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Comment by Jean Davis on November 5, 2009 at 7:54am - Lynn, I agree. I too have this sense of urgency about me when it comes to the gospel and our freedom to come together in a congregational corporate expression of faith. Not much longer and we will be constrained. Great article for thought and prayer. Good writing. Yes continue as you still can.
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Comment by Lynn Squire on October 22, 2009 at 9:32am - Amen - I've heard many people I respect say the same. I think in history we see that in times of persecution many come to a true saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I might know what will happen in my lifetime, but I do know what I must do while I'm alive.
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Comment by Yvonne Olson on October 22, 2009 at 9:27am -
Lynn, I just read this in my e-mail inbox. I do believe that we are coming into a very important time in history for God's church, and we do have the opportunity to stand for what we believe. But I do also believe that God is going to pour out His spirit again soon, and on a global scale. We need to be ready in season and out, and ready to defend the Gospel at all costs.
Thank you for your timely post. God bless you on your writing and spreading of the Gospel. =)
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