May 24, 2008

Dear Church:

As many of you know, the California Supreme Court has acted in violation of the expressed will of the voters of this state in overturning the proposition that exclusively defined marriage as between a man and a woman.  I am so deeply troubled by this monumental cultural tsunami that I feel compelled to give voice in defense of Christian morality in an America founded upon Scriptural principles.
Barring an Amendment to the United States Constitution, societal respect for basic morality rooted in both Natural Law and Scripture is likely eroding permanently.  It is not for myself that I am most troubled, but for my children – who are inheriting a spiritually and morally toxic America.  The assumptions that the children of this coming era will have programmed into them by the culture will likely seem unrecognizable and Orwellian to anyone who remembers (a decaying) 20th Century America.  Without a federal amendment, the ongoing descent of America will likely approach its nadir when the marriage covenant has been formally gutted to delight the abominable.  Letters such as this, and even verse-by-verse Bible studies touching on such issues, will likely become criminalized as hate-speech.  For those thankful to live in this country, I urge you in the strongest possible terms to pray for God to forgive, cleanse, revive, and restore our nation.  Our media-anesthesia, busyness, and affluence have served as instruments used to castrate our intercessory potency of the Church!  Resist the apathy, saints!
The state-sanctioning of this destruction of the sacred institution of marriage (in a blatant bending to the will of the pernicious sodomite lobby/agenda) will likely rank in national debasement with the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court’s tyrannical and misuse/abuse of power (Roe v. Wade) which has led to the murder of approximately 50 million babies in America.  Legalization of addictive recreational drugs, state-sanctioned euthanasia (including of patients without terminal illnesses), the “mainstream” promotion of hardcore pornography in traditionally safe media, criminalization of words and thoughts based upon perceived hate or bigotry, etc., are among the other areas of American moral necrosis that I anticipate within the next couple decades.  I fully expect this slow death of the American conscience to be accelerated upon the forthcoming election of a morally-confused President.  I pray that I am incorrect in my assessment.
In addition to prayer, I ask for you to be willing to take action to protect the kind of moral and spiritual environment you desire for yourselves, your children, and your grandchildren.  Our greatest call is to obey the gospel of Christ and proclaim it to the lost souls of this world.  That said, if good Christian citizens do nothing to oppose moral degeneracy and destruction, we cannot blame God if our loved ones get caught in the cultural undertow.  Voting – both for candidates and issues – is imperative.  Contacting governmental representatives with respectful concern is a right you have and should use as a citizen.  Putting a decidedly Christian moral stamp on the educational system, the media, the business community, and the political sphere is perhaps more necessary than ever.  Fatalism about the end times is not responsible occupation till Christ returns.

In addition to noting those who have lost their lives in American tornadoes and Chinese earthquakes, I have been particularly troubled by the devastation that has come to the people of Burma.  In addition to the masses, there are brothers and sisters in the Lord that have suffered loss and pain the likes of which we will hopefully never know.  Unlike other natural disaster situations, much of the pain has been caused and exacerbated by the Burmese government that has denied the efficient distribution of aid to the sick, dying, and displaced.  I would like Life CHRISTIAN CENTER to be ready to help.
Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Disaster Appeal & Update 5/9/2008

Seven days after Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar (formerly Burma) the ruling military junta is still denying entrance visas to humanitarian aid workers and not allowing supplies into the country. The military leaders are simply asking for cash and have already confiscated the few supplies let into the country. The people of Myanmar are suffering from lack of food, water and medication. The threat of sicknesses such as malaria and cholera draws closer with each passing day that supplies are withheld.

There are over 20,000 confirmed dead and over 100,000 feared dead. With the tightly controlled press of Myanmar the shocking details of this disaster are slowly trickling out to the rest of the world. What we do know from our people in Myanmar is that prices of the few basic goods available are skyrocketing. This has caused looting and security threats. Desperate people are willing to go to desperate measures in order to secure food for themselves or their families.

Compassion Services International (CSI) has already responded with several thousand dollars in humanitarian aid yet there is much more for us to do. With our people on location in Myanmar we do have a way of getting the funding directly to them.

Once the disaster phase of Cyclone Nargis is over then the rebuilding phase for Myanmar will begin. Farmers have lost crops and animals. Mechanics have lost tools. People’s homes were lost along with their stored grain. Crops will have to be replanted, tools replaced and homes rebuilt. CSI stands ready to assist with these needs and we need your help. An example of this long term process is evidenced by the fact that CSI is still working on projects in Sri Lanka from the December 2004 tsunami.  If the situation allows we will send in a disaster response S.M.A.R.T. team to assess the situation. This will allow us to better understand the needs firsthand and maximize our resources. Several people have also contacted us about being part of a medical team to Myanmar. Again, if the circumstances warrant and permit then we will be sending in medical teams as well. Our goal is to be ready with humanitarian aid when the doors are opened.

You can also help us by donating some basic medications that will soon be needed on location. If you can send any of the following medications, these will be sent in CSI MedPacks as soon as possible:  Triple antibiotic cream, iodine – Betadine, Hydrogen peroxide, Band-aids, baby powder, anti-fungal foot cream (Lamisil, Micatin, Tinactin), Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc., Imodium, rubber gloves, gauze, medical tape, vitamins (adult and children).
I call Life CHRISTIAN CENTER to help in the following manner:  (1) special June CSI offerings (details to come) to send aid to Burma, (2) a church-wide medication drive to be completed by June 22, and (3) a day of prayer and fasting for the Burmese church and people on Thursday, June 5.  Also, I invite all LCC dads to join me in requesting that any money intended by our families for Father’s Day gifts and meals be pledged in our honor for Burma aid instead.  This is completely optional and voluntary.  Thank you.

Pastor Manley