Baptist Temple

The “Arab Spring” So-called

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

With a dizzying pace our world has watched uprisings in the Arab world this year as people who live in these countries have revolted against dictators and long held axioms. As the more notable examples we’ve seen the people of Egypt get rid of their dictator, and we’ve seen the people of Libya get rid of theirs.  Wrap all of this in the flowery language of one notable American politician and you would be led to believe that there is a massive movement in the Middle East to embrace American-style democracy and liberty.  BEWARE!  It is not true and the outcome is going to be horrific for Israel – the only actual democracy in the Middle East, one of America’s staunchest allies, and the nation from which our Savior came and to which He will return at the end of the age to lead and judge the world for 1,000 years.

Here’s the real issue.  What’s happening in the Middle East among primarily Muslim people is a surge in fundamentalist Islam spearheaded by an alliance called the Muslim Brotherhood.  The secular media paints these people as the more educated and tolerant Arabs. But the fact is they have a sophisticated political agenda that is actually about creating an Islamic caliphate throughout the Middle East, and into Europe, and then here.  Open your eyes and see what’s going on in Egypt and you get a glimpse into the future.  The Israeli Embassy has been attacked and the Israelis have had to flee the nation.  Signs are held up everywhere of about their hatred for Israel.  They want war against Israel. No, they demand it!  The nation of Jordan is hanging by a thread and may soon fall as well.  This means that Israel is completely surrounded by nations headed by leaders that are bent on their destruction and now have the political alliances and religious zeal to launch this war.  Sadly, those currently in the highest offices in America have left our sister in the Middle East floundering in the wonder if America will be there for her or not by sending figurative roses to those leading these rebellions and no assurance to Israel.  This is an utter disaster, and utterly dangerous to all of us. And it is the failure in real spiritual/Biblical understanding (as well as foreign policy) that has led to this.

So don’t be fooled by flowery phrases that mean the exact opposite of what they are intended to imply.  This is not a beautiful spring taking place in the Middle East, it’s a fundamentalist Islamic revolution (remember 9/11/01?) composed of dangerous alliances that have no interest in freedom, and certainly no tolerance for the Christian faith or the existence of Israel. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they are going to need it desperately. 

For Christ,

Bro. Joe

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Due to circumstances that have been out of my control I have not been able to write to you in a while.  Now that I can, I am glad to be able to get back to one of my favorite passions in life – writing. 

I want to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received over the past month as our church has gone through some turbulent times.  Frankly, I did not know how things were going to play out or what was going to happen.  But thank you for how excellently you responded and supported not only me, but your church staff.  We love you all and could not do what we do without your support, class, and love.

I want to thank Ron and Lisa for the tremendous work they have done during our transition in the youth ministry at Baptist Temple.  I can’t say enough good things about them.  The personnel team has interviewed candidates for the youth pastor position and will soon present to you the candidate they felt led to select.  Being with them through this process I can say that I believe they approached the process carefully, prayerfully and in a discerning way.  It was not an easy job, but they did it as it should be done.  That being said, I hope our church will throw the full weight of its support behind the nominee and his family and accept them completely when they are presented.  This choice will have an important positive impact on the future of Baptist Temple to move it forward as we integrate other needed changes based on this choice. 

So, thank you all again.  I’m excited about all that God is doing during this time of transition.

Love in Christ,

Bro. Joe