God Loses the Secularists Vote

There is a distinct Biblical word for those who disavow the existence of God—FOOL!

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’  They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds ...” (Psalm 14:1 NASB).

Why are we surprised by the ungodliness in the political arena?  It’s been in the works since August 2019.  The Democrat National Committee (DNC) made the historic decision to celebrate “the values of ‘religiously unaffiliated’ Americans as the ‘largest religious group within the Democratic Party,” explaining:

“... religiously unaffiliated Americans overwhelmingly share the Democratic Party’s values [and] have often been subjected to unfair bias and exclusion in American society.”

While Americans understand religious freedom is an inalienable right for believers and non-believers alike, the DNC unanimously weaponized a new Resolution that condemned people of faith who adhere to acknowledged Biblical morals and values:

“... those most loudly claiming that morals, values, and patriotism must be defined by their particular religious views have used those religious views, with misplaced claims of ‘religious liberty,’ to justify public policy that has threatened the civil rights and liberties of many Americans, including but not limited to the LGBT community …”

So, with one of America’s two major parties openly condemning people of traditional Biblical faith, it is no wonder that policies which once would have been supported by both parties because of the Biblical values they represented have now become partisan.  For example, in the Democrat-controlled US House:

● “So help me God” has been removed from committee oaths.

● A simple measure to condemn Anti-Semitism did not pass the House until it was attached to a resolution condemning Islamophobia.

Perhaps the Democrat Party’s 2019 decision to condemn people of traditional Biblical belief is not surprising given the fact that Democrats completely removed all mentions of God from their party’s platform.  [Following a public outcry, they returned the word “God” to the platform— but only once, and only as an adjective rather than a noun— thus relegating God to an insignificant level.]

Listen: When God and the values He espouses in His Word are removed from the public square, the fall of morality and even common decency soon follow.  The apostle Paul forewarned:

“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools .… For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie …” (Romans 1:20-23,25).

Christians cannot stand on the sidelines of politics as the battle for the heart and soul of our nation turns from political attacks to spiritual ones.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Navigating the Teen Years

The teenage years have always been fraught with an emotional roller coaster brought on by the unbridled spreading of youthful wings and the darkness of uninvited self-doubt and depression.  Parents pray as they hand over the car keys and remind their teen to be careful as they take watch over the clock until their teen returns safely.  Navigating those years as a Christian family has special challenges these days.

“By 2021 more than a quarter of U.S. parents reported their adolescent had seen a mental health specialist.  Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among children 10-14.”  Mental health facilities are crowded and understaffed.  Parents report they must travel great distances to find space to hospitalize their suicidal teen.  Mental health is no joke and when a teen uses drugs and alcohol to relieve stress, suicide becomes even more of a possibility.

Many believe this acceleration in mental health illness was brought on by the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown.  Teens are coming out of trauma.  Youth Pastors and teachers recognize the behavioral patterns.  Depression and aggressive behavior are signs of distress.  Thousands of teens lost parents and grandparents to the pandemic and are in the stages of grief.

Where does the Christian parent turn in such a time as this?  A survey connected with several well-known Christian organizations reveals there is hope.  The survey, which included 26 countries, found many teens have a positive view of Christ.  Attributes they describe Jesus as are generous, wise, peaceful, and trustworthy.  “A report from the Barna Group reads, “Most teenagers around the world have a positive perception of Him. About half of all teens, across faith groups, describe Jesus as ‘loving’ (49%) and believe He offers hope to (46%) and cares about people (43%).”

Recognizing the complexities of teenagers navigating challenges of self-doubt, eating disorders, grief, suicidal ideation, Rooted Ministry has published a book entitled “The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School.”  Thirty chapters, each written by a different Youth leader, offers insights about Jesus and how to make Christ the center of life.  The authors bring insight to present day teens by relating stories of their teen lives. Christainitytoday.com says, “The honesty and vulnerability of these chapters make The Jesus I Wish I Knew In High School something more than a gospel-saturated resource for teenagers … honest accounts of racism, abuse, insecurity, fear, and anxiety carries significant potential to foster meaningful conversations.”

Christian parents should allow some struggles to emerge for their teens.  Struggle causes growth and perseverance and on the other side of the struggle is developing strength through accomplishment.  Just as the first time behind the wheel of a car, present your teen with the keys to steer their journey with Christ.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will pilot and guide and protect.  Joshua 1:9 allows us the confidence to “be strong and courageous; not frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you.” (NIV)

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

To Die For

Persecution for the faith is not new to Christianity.  As in the early church, Christians stand in peril for their faith in many countries.  Steeped in pagan religion that requires citizens to participate without choice leaves the Christian in danger of losing their lives and the lives of their family.  Christianity is a choice of life or death.  They choose life in Christ, and many are martyred for it.

“To die for” are words used loosely for a favorite fashion to the face of a celebrity.  Used loosely but rarely seriously.  But some Christians live in fear of their lives for their faith every day.  The Worlds Watch List was recently reported by Open Doors.  Topping the list of Christians in danger are Islamic countries and communist countries.  Afghanistan and North Korea are at the top of the list.

Since their nation fell to the Taliban in August 2021, Afghan Christians who did not escape live in fear and isolation.  The Taliban goal is total elimination of Christianity.  The estimated 10,000-12,000 remaining Christians are converts from Islam and hated even more for that fact.  When they decide to choose Christianity, they and their families are in danger of losing their jobs, their freedom to attend Universities, and their lives.

North Korea once was considered “the Jerusalem of the East.”  In the early 1900s there were over 2,000 churches.  Now the communist-inspired dictatorship is founded upon Juche, which is a North Korean religious ideology requiring the worship of the Kim family. Those who are found with a Bible or an interest in Christ are tortured and subjected to work camps with horrendous conditions and brutality.  Entire families are subjected to the same sentence so that they can be made an example to others.  Children are raised in Korea to spy on family members and parents and to report to authorities if they find any insurrections.  There are an estimated 50,000-70,000 Christians imprisoned in these harsh prisons and labor camps.  There is an estimate of 400,000 Christians in North Korea that are underground and secretive.  They are willing “to die for” their faith.

Much of Africa practices Islam.  To refuse Islam and embrace Christianity is considered a betrayal to the community and family.  Christians are highly targeted by al-Shabab.  A woman named “Fatuma” who lives in the Horn of Africa was arrested with her husband, for their faith.  “The first time in court, they made us sign death certificates … they told us, ‘You have to deny Jesus right now,’ and we said, ‘No, we will not deny the Lord, but we will rather sign for our death.’ ”

In 2021, 1 in 7 believers around the world suffered persecution for their faith.  An average of 16 believers a day died for following Jesus.  An estimated 360 million Christians face significant trials for their faith. 

Christian, are you willing and prepared “to die for” your faith today?  Pray for those who are.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

The Christian Response to Accusations of Wrongdoing

People lie.  This is a disappointing fact of life.  People also compromise their values at the exact moment when they need to cling to them with the most fortitude.  This is yet another disappointing fact that is bred by original sin.

The New Testament reinscribes the teachings of the Old when Romans 3:10-11 says, “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.’ ”

No human being is righteous in the eyes of God apart from the salvation offered through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection as recorded in Holy Scripture.

Nonetheless, that does not mean we are not called to be discerning, as Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

After allegations were raised by one of Herschel Walker’s ex-girlfriends that he pressured her to have an abortion, these (thus far unproven) accusations elicited a surprisingly muted response from conservatives.

While this story seems like a smear campaign, even the remotest possibility that it could be true does not seem to matter to right-leaning pundits like Dana Loesch who said:

“Winning is a virtue, and I’m not going to be baited, nor should you … What I’m about to say is by no means a contradiction or a compromise of a principle.  Please keep in mind I’m concerned about one thing and one thing only at this point.  So, I don’t care if Herschel Walker paid to abort endangered baby eagles—I want control of the Senate.”

In response, the Huffington Post ran this headline: “NO PROBLEM HERE! [CONSERVATIVE] VOTERS GIVE WALKER A PASS ON ABORTION.”

The fact that leftist news organizations like the HuffPo can plausibly make such a claim is shameful.

Walker should not be tried in the court of public opinion without evidence.  That being said, it is still concerning that Loesch’s reaction appears to be indifference.  Given that most pro-life, conservative voters describe themselves as Christian, the idea that she is prioritizing “conservative” political wins above all else is especially concerning.

These statements come dangerously close to saying that the political ends ought to justify the means.  The New Testament teaches that Christians ought to not be so mundane.

We know from 2 Corinthians 5:17 that we are a new creation in Christ: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  We also know from Romans 7:12 that this new creation will reflect God’s perfect law, not the law of mankind.  God’s law would not have us coldly calculate and justify immorality in the name of some “greater good.”

Christians must not fall into the tempting trap laid before us by this way of thinking.

By the same token, it is also important to remember that God has elevated and used imperfect and flawed people like King David, the adulterer and murderer, who was also described as a man after “God’s own heart” in Acts 13:22.  People like this appear throughout the Bible in order to accomplish His purposes.

While Walker has admitted to having a “troubled past” he is just as deserving of the benefit of the doubt as anyone else.  It is entirely possible this story was made up to create bad press for him.

Politics is an ugly game and it is probable, even likely, that the claims being made against Walker are false.  All the same, conservative Christians should care whether their representatives practice personally what they preach politically.  Christians ought to be discerning, recognize that all are fallen, and act prudently to protect the interests of our nation as this story continues to unfold.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

SEX and GENDER

Just reading these words can set off many feelings and thoughts that are difficult to control or define.  Our culture has set us up to be confused.  We face confusion on the actual definitions of each.  We face confusion on how to deal with those that differ from our own understanding.  We might even get confused as to what we, as Christians, should believe.  Maybe we shrink back from expressing what we believe because we do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Do you remember the Loony Toon cartoon characters known as Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog?  Typically, they would walk together to work each morning as friends.  When they arrived at “work” they would “punch in” with their timecards and proceed to become mortal enemies with each other.  At the end of their shift, they would punch out and proceed back home as good neighbors and friends once again (though beaten and battered).  Wolf and Sheepdog’s real roles in life were confusing to children.

Sex and gender may be much the same in our culture today— confusing, to say the least.  How do we trek our way through all of this?  Can people really change back and forth?  Are these sacred and set?  Or are they as fluid as our culture wants us to believe?

The LGBTQ+ movement has worked its way into most every aspect of today’s culture. Everywhere one turns, there it is, bombarding us at work, at school, on TV, at the movies— everywhere.  A result is that our own children and grandchildren are believing it.  In the public schools their teachers are teaching it— from the lowest grades up.  Not every school is as bad as others, but they all seem to be heading in the same direction.  What do we do?  Where do we begin?  Can we really make a difference?  Or will we just get chewed up and spit out if we so much as try?

The Bible is clear in defining sex and gender.  “So God created man in His own image … male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).  According to Romans 1:18-32, God has made His design for mankind plain to understand, not confusing.  According to Deuteronomy 22:5 God detests anyone who cross-dresses.

In his article, “What the Bible Says About Gender and Sex,” in For the Bible, Costi Hinn writes, “… let’s lovingly push back against Satanic subterfuge and not roll over in fear.  If we are God’s people, then we do things and say things God’s way!”  In that same article he also gives several points of action we can take as we push back:

1. People don’t rule gender, God does.  Remember Genesis 1:26-27, “God said…”

2. You are God’s masterpiece, just the way you are.  Psalm 139:13-18. 3, Your gender matters when it comes to dating, courting, engaging, and marrying.

Let us not shrink away from speaking the truth— but be lovingly bold in setting the truth forth to our culture and our children.  Let God’s Holy Word— The Bible— do its work in all of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Being Critical of the “Critical”

Many of us pursued higher education with the encouragement to always use “critical thinking” in your studies.  This admonition applies in all of life.  It is checking the definitions of words and phrases used when understanding other views of politics, theology, etc.  Take the example: Critical Race Theory (CRT).  What race?  In the human realm there is only one race— the human race.  Any sub-categories are not races, but simple ethnic/cultural differences.

It has been said that “The only ones interested in ‘racism’ are racists.  All the rest are interested in content of character” (Anon).  The idea of various races of humans is an idea that divides and far too often incites hate.  By its very nature it is unable to produce justice and equality or equity.  CRT skews truth and reality into a concocted lie that yields more confusion.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis declared, “Florida civics curriculum ... will expressly exclude unsanctioned narratives like critical race theories and unsubstantiated theories. Let me be clear: There’s no room in our classrooms for ... teaching kids to hate their country and to hate each other ... so we will invest in actual, solid, true curriculum.”  

History is history just as truth is truth.  To claim otherwise through re-writing and changing the truth for a lie does no one any good (Romans 1:25).  We learn from real history and correct our wrongs for the benefit of the present and the future.  Otherwise, it is akin to asking God for salvation without acknowledging that we have ever sinned (Romans 5).

You cannot cure racism with more racism.  Sin cannot be erased with more sin (1 John 1:10).  History cannot be corrected by rewriting it.  All things must be understood for what they are.

Once we have established this, then we are in position for confessing our wrongs and making things right going forward.  The Pledge to the American Flag ends with these words— “... with liberty and justice for all.”  “For all” means that all are affected correctly all the time.  Though this may be very difficult, it certainly does not mean, “for some then and for a different group now, but never for everyone all the time.”  Similarly, erasing one’s sin does not happen by covering it over with more or different sin.  Sin can only be erased by the perfect sacrifice for sin by the One who is sinless Himself.

Do not make the mistake of getting involved with imperfect solutions that only cause more imperfection and problems.  “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.  Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God — I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).

So, think critically when studying God’s Word, when listening to the pundits of all types, and when considering your own heart and mind.  “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord” (Proverbs 16:2).  “For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths.  The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.  He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly” (Proverbs 5: 21-23).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

The Sky is Falling

Fires, war, hurricanes, mass shootings, and inflation are the news headlines of which we are regularly bombarded.  2022 has had its fair share of bad news.  Fear reigns king in many hearts of Americans.  Fueling the fear is the coming November elections.  Will Christians bow down to fear or stand tall?

Chapman University’s survey on American Fear revealed some interesting data. Ranking considerably close to the fear of dying is the fear of “corrupt government officials.”  The fear is bipartisan, with Republicans at 84.6% and Democrats just under at 77.8%.

In a recent article, Thaddeus Williams, associate professor of theology at Biola University suggests that “we shouldn’t be surprised that fear of corrupt leaders is rising at the same time secularism is.”

Are Christians screaming “the sky is falling” and running around in circles or hiding their heads in the sand?  Do they not proclaim the deity of Christ and the relatively minuscule effect of one election compared to the plan of the Almighty God?

Christians do need to vote and become involved in local government.  As they do, the impact of secularism will be minimized.  As David took the stones to slay the giant, Christians put on the armor of God to boldly face evil in whatever guise it comes.  Fear is vanquished in faith and in following the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  The foremost mission for Christians is to continue to proclaim their faith in God and that Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation.  Being mindful of not co-opting the name of Jesus as a political tool, but having faith that Jesus is our motivation.

The early church was no stranger to government oppression.  Peter and John were arrested for speaking boldly about Jesus by the leaders and priests.  Acts, chapter 4, tells us that the rulers feared Peter and John because they thought of them as uneducated, common men (v.13).  Yet, Peter and John stood next to a man who had been healed and the leaders could not argue with the evidence (v. 14).  The leaders commanded Peter and John to be silent about Jesus so that the gospel would not spread further.  Upon returning to their friends, Peter and John prayed: “Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness” (v. 29).

An action everyone can begin doing now before the election is to pray.  Pray for an election that is free and fair.  Pray for candidates to seek God’s guidance, to have listening ears and soft hearts, to address poverty and justice.  Pray for strength and encouragement for our leaders and candidates.  Pray that our leaders would commit to work together and that we would see each other through the eyes of Jesus.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Fashionable Christians

In today’s world many spend time looking at, trying on, and deciding what to wear (shopping).  Each outfit is examined for what its appropriateness is according to what its purpose will be.  Will this be for work or school, for digging in the garden, vacationing at the beach, or a mountaintop, etc.?

In the same way God has given us many pieces of clothing to wear as Christians as we prepare for each day.  In Ephesians 4 we are told to put off the old self in order to put on the new self (e. g., put off falsehood and put on truthfulness, vs. 25).  We can think of this as taking off the “grave clothes” of sin and putting on the “grace clothes” of righteousness.

There is a particular outfit of clothing that we have been given to wear for other specific occasions.  Ephesians 6 calls it the Armor of God (vs. 10-19).  The problem with these clothes is that they just are not as comfortable as some of the others.  Yet, we should have them ready to wear at the drop of a hat and feel very comfortable in their use.  

Think in terms of a fire-fighting squad.  Each fire-fighter does not wear the full armor all day.  But when the bell rings and the call comes in, they are each practiced and ready to jump into all the pieces and be ready in alarming time.  They each well know that without the proper armor, fighting a fire or accomplishing a rescue could turn disastrous.  

Perhaps inexperience is a picture of why we lose so many of our young people from the church or why our adults rarely take up the stand for Christ in conversations in which they find themselves.  Some may even miss the opportunity to lead a family member or friend to Christ.

How comfortable are you in God’s Full Armor?  How ready are your church’s children and adults to don the armor and effectively combat the forces around them?  Each family, each teacher, each church, and each pastoral staff member should be providing the training necessary for facing the foe.  Do you remember the various pieces that make up the full armor?

The Belt of Truth (verse 14).  Are we clear in our minds and hearts with truth, not given to falsehood and deception?

The Breastplate of Righteousness (verse 14).  Our inner-most parts protected by blamelessness in our behavior.

Feet Shod with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace (verse 15).  Each one ready to lead another to Christ, having been assured of our own salvation in Christ, secured by His death, burial, and resurrection.

The Shield of Faith (verse 16) at the ready position to deflect the lies of Satan and this world.

The Helmet of Salvation and Sword of the Spirit (verse 17) which is the Word of God. Understanding science, philosophy, social sciences and all the rest is good.  But they should always be in line with God’s Word—the Holy Bible—first and foremost.  After all and through all, be sure that you and those God has placed in your care are real prayer warriors - as we move forward.

The battle is seriously heating up.  But the battle belongs to the Lord.  Are we ready?  “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the battle belongs to the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Biden Administration Bullies Campuses Not Woke

According to a USA Today article, the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) is warning public campuses to ignore state laws that conflict with the Biden Administration’s interpretation of Title IX— the 1970s law that bans discrimination against females on public school campuses.  The only problem with the federal government’s warning – which is really a bullying threat over losing federal funds – is that college campuses that have followed federal law for a half-century are being told a man who identifies as a woman is legally recognized as a woman.

Julie Marie Blake, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a law firm fighting to protect Title IX rights of female athletes, says the woke Biden Administration is overstepping its bounds by bullying schools to bend to its illegal interpretation.  “Congress has never passed a law saying any of this,” she tells American Family News (AFN).  “And that’s why President Biden is acting unlawfully when he is threatening schools just for adhering to common-sense understanding of who is male and who is female.”

AFN reported in September that ADF attorneys used a public comment to rip the Biden Administration over its plans to redefine Title IX law.  ADF submitted five formal comments that argued:       

• the DoE lacks legal authority to rewrite federal law; 
• the rule will undermine fairness in women’s sports, which was the purpose of the 1970s law; 
• undermines parental rights; 
• advocates for abortion; and 
• violates free speech by censoring unwanted beliefs and by forcing people to state made-up gender pronouns or face punishment.

The DoE witnessed a record-breaking number of comments pour in, a whopping 184,000 in all, but the USA Today article suggests overwhelming public opposition is being ignored and the next stage of the transgender-crazed Administration is a bullying phase.  

According to Blake, “radical activists” in the Biden Administration are threatening anyone who stands up for the basic scientific fact that humans are either male or female, including on the soccer field, the swim team, and the locker room.  “Title IX was written to protect girls so that they have an equal opportunity to compete on a sports team just like boys do,” the ADF attorney says.  “And the threat is dangerous for women and girls, although freedom for everyone is at stake with this radical overreach, everyone’s privacy and safety.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Is DoD’s “Religious Exemption” to Vax Just a Ruse?

Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin continues to play hardball when it comes to mandating vaccine injections for military personnel.  

The DoD has filed an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in an attempt to stop the preliminary injunction and the order certifying class-action relief for those who currently serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and have been denied religious exemptions from the federal COVID shot mandate.

Mat Staver is founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel (LC), which filed a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief for the Marines.  He points out the DoD continues to insist the COVID mandate be upheld.  “The evidence, the science, the judicial decisions – [they’re] all going against Joe Biden's Administration and the Department of Defense and the military branches,” the attorney argues.  “These shots are neither safe nor are they effective – [and] now we know it was all based on a lie.”  But Staver says the Administration continues to push.  “And I think the reason has nothing to do with COVID [or] with protecting people’s health or military readiness – but it has everything to do with using this as a reason to purge the military of people of faith,” he states.

LC points out that of the more than 3,700 Marines who have requested a religious accommodation from the shot, the Marine Corps has granted only 11 accommodations. That fact caused a previous court to wonder: “Is it more likely than not – in nearly all 3,733 cases – that no reasonable accommodation was available?”

The Florida-based legal group has just filed a renewed motion to certify the entire class and for a class-wide preliminary injunction on behalf of those members who currently serve in the U.S. Coast Guard and have been denied religious exemptions from the DoD’s mandate.  Staver fully expects the COVID-19 military shot mandate cases to end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Who Will Teach the Children?

The world flipped on its side when the Pandemic shut it down.  Families scrambled to figure out school, work schedules, and how to fill the hours.  Not surprisingly, the use of electronic devices went up.  School classes were taught on a tablet, entertainment was provided through streaming, and friendships continued through social media.  Especially significant was the amount of use of devices for children.  

Did the COVID years set a precedent for how the children would continue to learn and entertain themselves when the world normalized?  What, if any, is the impact on Christian education in the home?

According to a survey taken by a nonprofit research organization Common Sense Media, overall screen use among teens and tweens increased by 17% from 2019-2021.  The average, daily screen uses up from 4 hours and 44 minutes to 5 hours and 33 minutes for ages 8 to 12  This is not surprising considering many in this age group were being schooled in full or part online.  Families were not out and about as much and were spending more hours at home.

An encouraging note during the Pandemic years was that family time changed for the better.  Wary of health concerns, families stayed at home more often.  During this newfound time together, they read stories aloud, ate more meals together, and played games more often.  This was especially true in homes where parents had a higher level of education and were able to work from home.

For many churches, children’s ministry became a burden.  Volunteers left and programs were canceled.  If ministry to children was to survive, it would take creativity, prayer, and a reset of how things are done.  Leaders looked at creating community through online means.

Ministry to children post-COVID must return with a new look.  Strategies to bring families back together into a building must be examined if parents are relying on Christian training in the church.  1,200 children’s ministry leaders responded to a survey at the beginning of 2022.  Results found that only 52.2% of Children’s ministries were back to their pre-COVID schedule.  Most churches were offering some form of children’s ministry again, but 36% at a reduced level and, 11.8% were still not in person.

In the book of Deuteronomy, we are charged with keeping God’s words in our hearts and minds (Deuteronomy 11:18) and passing this knowledge on to the children.  “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you like down and when you get up.”

The Christian family often falls short when it comes to the training of the scriptures in the home.  When children spend 4-5 hours of screen time, is it balanced with any time in the scriptures and teaching of the Christian life?  Are we walking and talking of God’s word while we do the mundane things of life together?  The demands of sports and school and work leave little time left to offer to God without purposefully planning for it.  If not the church and not the parents, who will teach the children?

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

U.S. Armed Forces: Challenges Are Mounting While Recruitment Is Diminishing

The U.S. Armed Forces is facing its biggest recruiting challenge since the military draft ended in July of 1973.  For the next 20 years, the all-volunteer military was easily able to manage the country’s conflicts, such as the Persian Gulf war of 1991.  However, in the post-9/11 “War on Terror,” the all-volunteer force was inadequate.  It was heavily supplemented by reservists and members of the National Guard.  In fact, part-time military forces comprised approximately 45% of the total forces who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as 18% of the casualties.

Today, recruitment throughout all branches of the military, and especially among the National Guard, is not meeting quotas.  With new recruits dropping and retirements increasing, the National Guard lost an overall total of 7,500 service members this past year.  This will impact the various missions of the National Guard including military deployment overseas as well as emergency response to natural disasters domestically.

According to Major General Rich Baldwin, the Army National Guard’s (ARNG) Chief of Staff, the recruiting woes are the “worst” he has experienced in the last two decades.  He said that “if we don’t solve the recruiting and retention challenges we’re currently facing, we will see readiness issues related to strength begin to emerge within our units within the next year or two.”

Along with the recruiting issues, the ARNG faced a 10% decline in reenlistment for veteran service members.  There are numerous reasons why recruiting and reenlistments are declining.  Since the 9/11 attacks were 21 years ago, there is no longer an urgent “call to service.”  In addition, the war in Afghanistan, the nation’s longest armed conflict, finally ended in 2021.  With no ongoing war, some Americans are not compelled to serve in the military.  Another major factor is the needless requirement that all service members become vaccinated against COVID-19.  Instead of following the advice of President Biden who declared that “the pandemic is over,” our armed forces are maintaining the COVID19 vaccine requirement.

Studies show that millions of Americans do not believe the vaccine is effective or beneficial, as approximately 32% of the country is not fully vaccinated.  In this environment, a vaccine mandate is a powerful disincentive for many potential new recruits.  It could also serve as a major reason current service members are not re-enlisting.

There are 14,000 current National Guard members who are either refusing to take the vaccine or are seeking some type of exemption.  Their final status is uncertain, as it has not been decided by U.S. Army leadership.  If no exemptions are granted, the loss to the National Guard would be significant.  Some analysts believe that improving health and educational benefits would spur more enlistment.  Others point to the need to enhance salaries and predict that recruitment will increase as the overall economy continues to decline.  

The best way to improve the situation is to eliminate the vaccine mandate and to stop pursuing “woke” military objectives.  Our military should not be promoting Critical Race Theory (CRT) and teaching about the dangers of white racism.  In addition, the emphasis on the use of proper pronouns and hosting shows with drag queens is completely inappropriate.  

The situation is so problematic that U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (WI-R) has introduced a bill in Congress to prevent the Department of Defense (DoD) from “organizing, promoting, or hosting drag shows as a means of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”  According to the DoD, the mission of our military forces is “to deter war and ensure our nation’s security.”  These goals are not accomplished by teaching controversial racial theories or promoting the correct type of pronoun usage or by featuring drag queens on military bases.  Grothman believes that “there is an overall effort being made to make the military more woke … and I think a woke military is probably a less productive military.”

Grothman is correct, except it is not “probably” detrimental, it is unquestionably harming our military.  Certainly, our foremost adversary, the communist Chinese, is not allowing their military officials to waste time training their soldiers on correct pronoun usage, CRT, or exposing them to drag queen shows.  

It has become so ridiculous that in June, a drag queen event was planned at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany to promote “Gay Pride Month.”  The drag queens were scheduled to read stories to the children of military service members in the library of the base.  After much criticism, the ill-advised event was canceled.  In July, at the Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, a “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summer Festival” was held. Initially, a performance by drag queen “Harpy Daniels” was scheduled, although it was eventually canceled.  All these activities upset Grothman, who said he will “keep on the military to make sure they don’t degenerate into some politically correct, woke institution. If we had $100 million left over with nothing to do, we still shouldn’t spend it on this garbage because it weakens the military.”

Similar complaints were issued by U.S. Sen.Marco Rubio (FL-R) who sent a letter to the Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall expressing his strenuous objections to the event scheduled at Ramstein Air Base.  He noted, “As I hope you can agree, decisions over children and their bodies should be left to moms and dads serving our nation, not mediated through publicly funded propaganda on U.S. Air Force bases.”

Instead of focusing on important military goals, the current DoD leadership seems more intent on satisfying progressive activists.  Last week, DoD Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that nine U.S. Army bases will be renamed because of ties to the confederacy.  Other assets will be removed, such as a portrait of General Robert E. Lee that is hanging at West Point Academy.  These moves will cost $62.5 million and will not make our country any safer or solve the pressing recruitment crisis facing our military.  It will only please the progressives who are steering our country in an extremely dangerous direction.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel