Hello Folks,
I have been reading two books that have really stimulated my mind. One of them is "Who Stole My Church" by Gordan MacDonald and it was really insightful into the problems that exist in our society today as congregations either attempt to shift to speak to the generations that are to come or if they will refuse to address those issues. If you want to have an easy, but extremely insightful, read I would recommend that you get this book. I happen to believe that most of Christians really do want to reach our world but that most of us want to do so without it costing us anything.
The other book that I have just began is titled, "Serious Times" by James Emery White and as the title implies it is of a more serious nature. This deals with the cultural and intellectual mindset that is taking over our society. While I am only 50 pages into this book it is something that is causing me to think as I consider the educational climate in the institutions of higher learning and, even, in our primary and secondary levels. It would appear to me that the viewpoint that religion is something that shoudl not be dealt with in public is common, if not the dominating viewpoint. Christianity is seen as one religion among many and that all of them are of the same value. While we have had many religions for centuries the viewpoint that they are all on equal footing is somewhat new but even more that none of them, including Christianity, has the truth is becoming the common understanding.
While these two books are different they actually are dealing with the same issue. What will the church of God do? How will we face this great challenge of our day? Will we roll over and play dead or will we stand up and fight the battle? Fighting the battle means that we must proclaim truth but do it in a manner that will be listened to by our generation and the next one as well.
These are some of things that are on my mind. I hope this stimulates you into thinking about this rather than just living another day.

Pastor H. G. Rudd