This weekend offered another grim reminder of how far America has strayed from the Christian values and principles which have for centuries been her hallmark. 

In Genesis 2 we learn of the very first and most fundamental institution on earth – the human family.  It came into existence when a man and a woman were united in marriage by God. 

Since that time this most fundamental of institutions has been the foundation of every society and has been protected by moral and civil law.  Its health is in fact a basic indicator of the health of any society.  And God clearly states that any perversion of this institution is an abomination.  [Leviticus 18:22-23; 20:13; Deuteronomy 24:4; Ezekiel 22:11; Revelation 21:17 to mention only a very few.]

But the realities in our culture today are so far removed from this basic understanding that the very destruction of the institution of marriage is being celebrated. 

Saturday, Mr. Obama, America’s President appeared at a dinner and fundraising event for a leading gay rights activist group, Human Rights Campaign, where he boldly praised them and their constituency and promised his active support to help them achieve their agenda. The event was broadcast over C-SPAN. 

View his shocking statements for yourself.

But for any who may be questioning:

I don’t believe that this action by the president is a true reflection of mainstream America, nor is it a reflection of those values which America has historically celebrated in her soul.  Rather, this action is a public embarrassment and a moral shame to the mainstream.

It does, however, help us understand why it is critical that people, especially followers of Christ, unite to renew our nation and the Christian values which have made America great. 

Part of that renewal is to understand and appreciate the value of every person and help them discover the freedom and potential they have in Christ.

It is also important to remember that God does not have a grading scale on sin.  A person should think before throwing stones.  The solution is not in condemnation but in redemption.  That is the work of grace.

Learn how you can get involved in giving grace.

Let me share another story of an American whose work was so valued that just over 60 years ago (in 1947) it was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.  The American’s name was Charles Ives.

Charles lived in New York where he worked in an insurance office during the day and composed and performed music evenings and on weekends.  Influenced by the culture of his time, his life and music reflected strong spiritual and revivalist tones which perhaps are most reflected in his award winning Symphony No.3, also called The Camp Meeting.

A closer look at The Camp Meeting symphony reveals not only the culture of the time but the values that were honored and deeply respected.

The first movement is called Old Folks Gatherin.  The musical themes, carefully and tastefully interwoven, are the popular hymns: “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise”, “Just as I am without one plea”, and “What a Friend we have in Jesus”.

The second movement, called Children’s Day is constructed around the hymn “There is a fountain filled with blood.”

And the third and final movement, Communion, is based on the hymn “Just as I am without one plea” and the symphony ends with the serene and distant sound of church bells ringing.

Think about the change our popular culture has undergone in just over 50 years!

If you took the time to watch the C-SPAN clip of Mr. Obama addressing those gathered with Human Rights Campaign, like me, you may have noticed the signage superscripted on the screen which said,

Think Progress.

That is the message a perverted culture wants to impress upon you.

But let me challenge you to screen everything through another more important message,

Think Biblically.

That is the core of the Christian worldview.

Live it out loud!