In the News

Every day I scan the national and regional headlines, largely for my own entertainment, but also to see if I can find instances of God's working in and through the Church. In the past few days it seems that there is a lot going on. Here are a few headlines and links to a few of the stories.

• Christian Singer Steven Curtis Chapman Copes with His Daughter's Death Through Music
• The Greek Orthodox Church Acts on Public Crucifix Ban
• Evangelist Tony Alamo Sentenced to 175 Years on Sex Charges

It seems that each day there is good and there is bad being reported about the Church or those who call themselves Christians.

Steven Curtis Chapman's story, if you're not aware, is heart-wrenching. He lost his 5-year-old adopted daughter 18 months ago to a tragic accident involving a car driven by his teenage son. He wrestled with the questions any sane person would wrestle with in times of grief. Is God good? Does He care? Why does He allow bad things to happen? The result of his searching was put into music, as SCC stripped away the polished pop production and just recorded his honest emotions in song as they crept into his heart. The Chapmans have been through a lot of grief in the past 18 months. Yet they still continue to believe in the God who loves them and sees to their every need. Even in times of their grief.

The Greek Orthodox Church is fighting a battle long lost here in America. The Church has been a major part in the development of modern Greece, and for centuries crosses have been on display in public buildings and school classrooms. Now a humanist organization is taking direct fire at such displays, claiming they infringe on the freedom of religion that Greek law guarantees. I can see their point, to be honest. Yet I also see the continued deterioration of the Church's influence and relevancy in Europe. It used to be that the Greek and Roman churches influenced law. Now it seems they influence little. With the evangelical and Protestant churches also suffering poor attendance and increased government intrusion, it's sad to say that the secularization of Europe is almost complete.

Finally, we have the ongoing saga of another creep in an evangelist's mask. Tony Alamo once stirred up followers with emotional vigor to prepare the world for the end times. I remember parking outside an Academy Sports store in Lewisville one day a few years back and being approached by an Alamo follower. He handed me a flier and asked me some questions I cannot now remember. It was my first introduction to Tony Alamo Christian Ministries. Little did that poor sap know, 75-year-old Tony was involved in horrifying child abuse, transporting underage girls across Arkansas state lines for sexual purposes and even indulging himself. Now he's going to jail for the rest of his life. He still claims innocence but circumstances say otherwise. Church leaders are to be "above reproach" and Tony's behavior was way below the reproach line. Sadly, the assistant U.S. Attorney pointed out in honesty that, "Not only did (the girls) entrust their lives to him, he did it in the name of God. And he betrayed their trust." How awful!

Keep praying for the Church around the world today. There are some positive stories mixed in the negativism that has become the norm. Pray that the Church of God may become salt and light in this world and influence culture in a way that lifts high the name of Jesus and proves the message of the gospel to be what we all have known it to be -- relevant.

Be God's!

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