Dr. Fred Steelman

I have always been fascinated with the works of Mark Twain. Perhaps the reason for that was my exposure to his writings when just a child. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn were big parts of my growing up years. From time to time I have my interest drawn to Samuel Clemens writings and particularly to his quotes. He has indicted all of us with his pertinent observations about human nature. And, as I have grown older, I have moved beyond the humor to being troubled by some of his conclusions. A case in point is the following quote, “If Christ was here, there is one thing he would not be--a Christian.” He wrote these words at the turn of the 20^th century. More than a hundred years later the skeptics think they still have a point. It ought to trouble any generation of professing Christians that the character lines between the believer and unbeliever have become so indistinguishable. I am reminded of a story in Judges 12: when a people group called Ephraimites was unable to enunciate the password “shibboleth”. Instead, they pronounced it “sibboleth” and the failure to get it right, according to the passage, cost some 42,000 people their lives. Some commentators say the number may be excessive and conclude it may be 40,000. Really! But that is another matter. The burden of this paragraph is that unlike the aforementioned people group we need to get it right! The pagan community is unimpressed with all our religious rituals. They are looking for something authentic. Our testimonies need to be clear. Our lives and our service genuine! I think our forefathers would say that we need Revival. I hope that you will join me in praying for that to occur here and across this nation. See you in church?