There is now a large threat to religious liberty that exists in America’s armed services.  Military life has always had strong ties to God’s churches and chapels down through the years of American life.  From George Washington until modern day God has had a great presence.  But now in recent years there has been a satanic effort to remove any religious/Christian expression in military life.
 
            From the book, “A Clear and Present Danger”, we present in behalf of Moral Action and the Family Research Council a list of events against religious liberty.  We must pray for our military and leaders.
 
2011 – Walter Reed Medical Center bans Bibles and religious material –
            Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the leading medical
institution for the U.S. armed forces, issued an official patient and visitor policy banning Bibles.  It stated, “No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit.”  In December 2011, the policy was rescinded after a political firestorm erupted in the House of Representatives.
 
Feb. 7, 2012 – Air Force removes “God” from unit’s logo-
The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers complained to the   Air Force about a logo from the Rapid Capabilities Office.  It read in Latin “Doing God’s Work with Other People’s Money” and was changed to “Doing Miracles with Other People’s Money.”  Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Virginia) and 35 other lawmakers sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz demanding an explanation for the removal of a non-religious reference to God.  The Air Force said they would investigate.
 
June 15, 2013 – A soldier is punished for serving Chick-fil-A –
Army Master Sergeant, Nathan Sommers, was punished for serving Chick-fil-A sandwiches at his own promotion party in honor of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  Sommers was investigated, reprimanded, threatened with judicial action, and given a bad efficiency report.  The invitation said, “In honor of my promotion and in honor of the Defense of Marriage Act, I’m serving Chick-fil-A sandwiches at my promotion party.”  Sommers was told that “he was no longer a team player and was not performing up to standards.”  Chick-fil-A and DOMA were frowned upon.
 
June 19, 2014 – Navy decides to remove Gideon Bibles from hotel rooms on its bases –
Prompted by a March 2014 letter from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) issued an order to remove Gideon Bibles from Navy Lodge rooms and take them to donation centers.  After public backlash, the Navy announced on August 14, 2014 that the Bibles in the rooms would remain while the policy was reviewed.
 
2015-16 –
Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland never guessed he’d lose his job for defending a young boy who was sexually abused.  And yet, the heroic Green Beret was discharged from the Army for confronting an Afghan policeman who tied the boy to a post and raped him repeatedly.  The nauseating story raised all kinds of questions about President Obama’s military.
 
1,000’s of petitions called for Sgt. Martland’s record to be cleared and an investigation into U.S. military policy in cases of child abuse and exploitation.  In April 2016, Army officials decided to reinstate the decorated Green Beret.
 
As B.M.A. Baptist, we are one of many influential groups that can contact our new President, his staff, our congressmen and senators with a voice for Godly, biblical decisions to be made.  We must hold our leaders in Washington and in the military accountable to God.

Doctrinal Statement
Changes Proposed
Baptist Missionary Association
of America Coordinating Council
 
The following proposed amendments to the BMAA Doctrinal Statement presented by Springhill Baptist Church, Greenbrier, Arkansas.
 
Article III – CREATION
C. Man – As the crowning work of His creation, God created humankind (man and female) in His own image (Psa. 8; Gen. 1:27, 2:7).  Consequently, every person from conception is of inherent dignity and worth and merits the respect of all other persons (Psa. 51:5; Psa. 139:13-16; Gen. 9:6; Matt. 10:28-31; James 3:9)
D. Marriage – God created marriage (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:23-24). Jesus Christ declared the Creator’s intention for marriage to be the inseparable and exclusive union between a man and a woman (natural man and natural woman) (Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9).  Marriage testifies of the union between Christ and the church (Eph. 5:31-32; Rom. 1:25-27)
 

            Proverbs 29:2 “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”  It seems today that the wicked are ruling.  So many true Christian believers are disillusioned.  So many watch as the streets are filled with violence and corruption.  Anarchy is defined as “a state of disorder due to the absence or non-recognition of authority.  Synonymous words are revolution, disorder, chaos, mayhem and mobocracy.  There seems to be a lack of punishment and a lack of obedience to the laws of the land.
 
            Punishment for wrongdoing is operative in this world although man has not faced his responsibility in performing it.  Paul the Apostle has summed up the principle in the words of Galatians 6:7:  “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”  This axiom of truth is far-reaching, invading all of creation.
 

• The Basis for Punishment
              Historically the basis for punishment in our society has been man’s belief in God – the God Who is Sovereign over the universe, the God Who has revealed Himself as moral, having a standard of right and wrong with punishment for the wrongdoer.  This punishment is not based particularly on its being a deterrent to wrongdoing, but rather as the wage for wrongdoing.  Romans 6:23 bears witness in these words, “For the wages of sin is death.”
   
              Today the philosophy of unbelief with its rejection of the living and moral God and the exaltation of man to a supremacy that is subject to no higher power than himself is demanding a hearing in our land.  Such a belief is not new, having always been present; but our intellectual climate and our growing freedom of expression have provided man with liberty to accept or reject the declarations of Scripture.
   
  Our concept of right and wrong and the punishment of wrongdoers will be determined on the basis of our belief or unbelief in the living God.  Humanism does not believe in God.
             
  Believing that God is and that He alone is the Director of this universe, we must submit to His dictates; and in the realm of punishment we must obey His commands.  God rules according to His standard of right and wrong.  This includes punishment for wrongdoers!
   
  
• Manifestations of Punishment
   
  It is Observed in Creation
   
  Punishment is seen in the operation of natural law.  Violation of these laws have their results.  To jump off a cliff, expecting a reversal of the law of gravity, in no way stays off a broken body.  Punishment is also manifest when one tampers with the animal kingdom.  To antagonize the “king of the jungle” would be to receive a recompense of reward.
   
  It is Observed in the Societies of the World
   
  As societies develop, they include regulations and punishments.  Even those which fall under the caption of being freedom fighters, a term which implies deep concern for the common man, have punishment – severe punishment – for all who do not conform to the rules.  It is difficult to conceive of a society continuing which does not incorporate into its life a system of punishment for offenders.
   
              It is interesting to note that before the Pilgrims landed on the shores of the new world, they covenanted to be ruled by a document which would control each member of the company.
   
        It is Observed in the Scriptures
   
  Believing that God has spoken and that the Bible is that message, we shouldn’t be surprised to find many passages dealing with the subject of punishment.
        Punishment Inflicted Directly by God.
   
        Consider the following as examples:  Cain (Gen. 4:11-16). When God made His pronouncement, Cain responded, ”My punishment is greater than I can bear.”
        The Flood (Gen. 6:1-8:22).  Rejection of God’s warning resulted in the removal of that society.  When the door of the ark was shut, there was no change in the announced punishment.
   
        Sarai (Gen. 12:17).  In protecting His “chosen”, God inflicted punishment on Pharaoh’s house although his offense was in ignorance!
   
              Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).  As a definite and shocking example of God’s righteous indignation toward lying – and that to God – these two met immediate physical death.
   
              Punishment Administered by Man.
   
              (Genesis 9:1-7)  Disrespect and destruction of human life were the first offenses to be placed under man’s jurisdiction.  Capital punishment was to be the consequence of murder.  This principle continues throughout Scripture, being affirmed in the New Testament by Christ and the Apostle Paul (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-14).
   
              Exodus-Deuteronomy.  “If we knew, we would do,” sums up Israel’s appeal to Moses (Deut. 5:27).  This prompted God to give the Law, coupled with specific punishments for those who failed to comply.  A careful analysis of Scripture will reveal the severity of punishment accompanying the Law.
   
  
• Responsibility in Punishment
   
  Man’s responsibility in punishment is divided between the family, the church and the state.    When each is diligent in the task, the entire society functions with a measure of peace and prosperity.
   
   
  The Family
   
  Being ordained of God, the family stands as a very important part of God’s plan for mankind.  Although some sociologists don’t accept the family as an absolute, God does.  He calls for a man to leave his parents, cleave to his wife and, living together, rear their children according to God’s rules (Gen:24; Matt. 19:6)
   
  Children Need To Be Trained.
   
  No child comes into this world programmed to do that which is right (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:23).  Right actions are the result of right training, beginning the first day and including God’s plan of salvation.  Life must be directed if it is to develop the kind of character acceptable to God and one that will function in society.  In order to accomplish this task there must be a penalty for disobedience (Prov. 22:15; Eph. 6:1-4).
   
  Children Need to Understand Punishment.
   
  Abraham must have been an example of this kind of parent (Gen. 18:19).  Having made clear to the child the difference between right and wrong, the rewards and penalties must also be clearly presented (Prov. 22:6).
   
  Parents Must Carry Through in Punishment.
   
  Consider Proverbs 13:24 and 23:13, 14.  When rules are established and broken, it is the parents’ responsibility to administer the punishment.  If children don’t learn this lesson at home, will they learn it in society?  If we neglect our responsibility as parents, can we rightfully criticize state officials who have become soft in administering punishment?
   
• The Church
   
  It is an established principle in Scripture that all who are born-again believers are to be identified with a local church.  In this communion there are certain rules laid down by God, including the discipline of the offenders.
   
  The Guiding Principle (Matt. 18:15-17; I Tim. 3:1-16).  A church congregation is responsible to maintain a good testimony in the community.  This is possible only when each individual member keeps the rules.  If sin is allowed to reign and situations are overlooked which scream for correction, the church is failing in its responsibility.
   
  The State
   
  The state with is rule is ordained of God.  It has been authorized to administer punishment on wrongdoers to protect society (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-14).  This is a basic principle in the structure of our government.
   
  According to Scripture, governmental officers are just as responsible to God as are gospel ministers.  They are commissioned by God to “carry the sword.”  They are guardians of human life and are to use all means available to maintain decency and order including capital punishment of those committing deliberately planned murder.
   
• Growing Softness in Punishment
   
  Today’s softness in punishment reigns from the home to the church to the state.  It appears that all too frequently the offender received greater protection than does the offended!  The older generation, observing the moral breakdown, blames the younger generation; and the younger generation, beholding the hypocrisy of the day, blames the older generation.  Yet all the while there is a philosophy which is sapping the very heart of our great nation.
   
  Why Such Softness Against Crime
   
  God and His Word are excluded.  Once God’s Word controlled the decisions of our government and our courts.  Punishment was meted out as the just penalty for crimes committed.
   
  Walter Lippmann saw this change coming in his day.  In his book, The Preface to Morals (1929), he showed that a switch from the living and true God to the created god of the liberal mind would change the moral standards and stamina of America.  His conclusion is apparent today!
   
  To teach that man is the product of evolution without responsibility to the supreme God and that there is no destiny beyond the few days of this life which is destined to annihilation, is to foster an attitude of “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”
   
  Once again to the Scriptures we find that when “the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Prov. 29:2).  The designation “wicked” in this text is used in the Old Testament of those who walk apart from God’s Word and His authority!  Without question the answer to our plight in regard to honest punishment for crimes committed will be realized only through a spiritual revival which enthrones God and His moral standard of right and wrong!

The sanctity of life defines humanity as being more sacred than the rest of God’s creation.  In Genesis 9:3 God told humans that they have the authority to kill and eat other forms of life; but in Genesis 9:6 the murdering of other human beings is totally forbidden with the penalty pronounced as death.
 
God’s churches and individual believers should pause on Sunday, January 17, 2016, and reflect on the beauty of life in the womb and to pray for the proponents of abortion and euthanasia.
 
While the sanctity of life ethics may be disparaged by the world, it is God’s vice. 
The Bible is clear:  human life is precious at all ages.
 
We are reminded by Ethics leader Dr. Russell Moore that we have to share things to each other that Christians shouldn’t have to say:

1. Mothers shouldn’t kill their babies.
   
2. Fathers shouldn’t abandon their families.
   
3. No human life is worthless.
    
   The very fact that these thoughts should be proclaimed  is a true reminder of the horrors of this present world’s darkness.  So may we join millions of others on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, January 17, 2016 and love life.

          Homosexuals possess U.S. Constitutional rights identical to those that everyone else in America enjoys.  They are free to be gay.  Gays mistakenly believe that basic human rights and our U.S. societal-norms guarantee them the right to marry as in a traditional marriage of man and woman.  Yet centuries of human rights’ definitions have never included same-sex marriage.   

          There is no way to sugar-coat the reality of the core of immoral, selfish homosexuality, especially the male sexual relations, it is as ugly as anything can get.  God’s relevant Word states in Romans 1:24 “God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.”   

          Many of this day attempt cover-ups such as “they are nice people”, or “they have loyal commitments”, but gays are tearing apart the moral fabric of our American nation, and they are attempting to rid our society of allegiance to God’s Word and His marriage precepts.  Paul said in Romans 1:28…”they did not like to retain God in their knowledge…”  So how do Christian moralists consider the “gay world” selfish?  

    1.      Gay and Abortionists believe in a Zero Population position.  Surprisingly, very few have spoken of or written of the selfish intent of these to never increase the population.  In Genesis 1:28 God told Adam and Eve “Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth…”  Gays, lesbians, and avowed abortionists in living their way would never populate the world as God intended it to be.  There would never be another child born!  It is truly the highest form of selfishness.

    2.     Gays’ selfishness leads others astray as they assess those who oppose homosexuality.  They want all to believe it is just “old-timers” and fanatical Christians who hate their lifestyle.  But the people of many states have voted against gay marriage.  In spite of the U.S. Justice courts overruling these states and outlawing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) does not mean that the American people are in favor of perversion in marriage.  Of the 313,914,000 Americans that populate our nation, only 1.7% are gay and only 1.8% are bisexual, according to Wikipedia and the 2010 census.  In the first large-scale government survey measuring Americans sexual orientation, the N.H.I.S. (National Health Interview Survey) reported in July 2014 that 1.6 percent of Americans identify themselves as gay or lesbian.

    3.     Gays’ selfishness closes their eyes to the overall health of American society.  Again in Paul’s admonition of Romans1:27…”men leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust…..working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.”  Historically, civilizations like Babylon, the Mayans, Greece, and Rome crumbled from within their own culture via sexual perversion.  Many in our nation seemingly have no regard for what gay life will ultimately cost their soul or what corrosion it will inflict upon society around them.  Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender are selling their health and their soul for short moments of deviant physical pleasure.

    4.     Gays’ selfishness continually and viciously disparages any references in the Bible that condemns their open sin.   L.B.G.T. shamelessly discounts the concept that the Bible is the moral standard of living, or if they do accept the Bible verses, they misconstrue them to fit their lifestyle of sin.  They prefer no moral standards which is so dangerous for any society.  They argue that Jesus Christ is all about love and complete acceptance.  Romans 1:22 says…”Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”  Jesus does love all people, including gays, but He notes the sin and offers forgiveness and healing if it is desired.  

          In conclusion, this deviant selfishness springs from an immoral mind and heart that leads to an erroneous conviction that the gay life is OK.  Lesbianism produces a gross picture of a woman on woman and two gay males engaging in sex is a quantum leap from anything beautiful or moral in marriage.  

          Homosexuality has been classified as deviate and criminal by the majority of the world’s population for thousands of years, but now in the last 40-50 years, powerful people are attempting to reverse that standard with brainwashing techniques via our children, the media, and by liberal judges and liberal churches.  

          To love and be loved with the warmth and intimacy of a Godly marriage is a beautiful thing.  But to accept the gay concept of marriage is a serious distortion of acceptable conduct.  Romans 1:32 “who knowing the judgment of God…” as you read God’s Word may it speak clearly: - Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Mark 10:6-9, I Corinthians 6:9-12, and Jude 7-8.

Looking for a good catalog of “helps” related to Morality and  Patriotism?  Visit our  website:

                                         www.macbma.net

 Our “link” can also be located on the BMA Life webpage and,  also, on the various departments of the
BMA.

 Categories at www.macbma.net include:

  1.   Dr. Adams’ personal notes and article archives;

  2.   Moral Action purpose statement  (why we exist);

  3.   A bibliography about the Executive Director;

  4.   The Moral Action Board of Trustees;

  5.   Action Alerts;

  6.   A fast search engine on biblical questions located on “got Questions?org";

  7.   Click on “Bible Gateway” to search for a word or passage in the Bible;

  8.   A great search site is “Scribd” (www.scribd.com)  which includes a personal digital library for new books and articles;

   9.   Locate a free copy of “What One Person Can do To Fight Pornography”

 10.   Locate the section “Issues Dealing With Sexuality” and “Church Safety and Security” This is a great resource for pastors and churches.


 11.   A great concern of Dr. Adams is the “Reconstructing American History” Click on the download file to read this startling report of our country’s history. 


Take time to read Dr. Adams’ article on “What Happens if We Christians Do Nothing.”  The church should encourage its members to be actively involved in Moral and Social issues facing our society today!

Our contacts are located on the webpage , as well. 
You can locate me with concerns or questions. 
Also, if in the area, come by and visit the Moral Action Display at 6080
Hwy 363, Mantachie, MS  (Tupelo area).  We are here to serve you. 

A secular writer previewed a recent television/movie season with the words,  “The Family Hour is Fading Away.”  These are telltale signs of spiritual shakiness and disturbing problems in Christian and American homes.  Sadly, we are allowing this to be pumped into our own homes.

If we, as Christians, have in fact lost our sensitivity to obscenity, we are not far from the Apostle Paul’s description in Philippians 3:18-19:  
    “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that
    they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is 
    their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, and mind earthly things.” 
The horror, vulgar, demonic movies rarely frighten us anymore.  Sadly, our children are permitted to watch these.  Christian parents either allow this into their homes, allow their children to see this at movies, or purchase on a variety of other media such as cell phones. 
 
THE AWFULNESS OF THE PROBLEM

 If I were to ask you to give a rating to TV/media programming, what would you rate it on a scale of A to F  (A being the best, F being the worse)?  Myself, I’d say D-.   Regular broadcast, television, cable TV, movie and internet channels have gone past the limit on nudity and homosexual themes.  One has to search through many channels to avoid shows with vulgarity, demonism, violence and secular philosophy.  Anything portrayed as decent and “godly” is portrayed as “ignorant.” 
 
The “worsening” of movie/TV/media content in itself is not the whole problem.  The ACCEPTANCE,
of such, by Christians is truly alarming.  We, as Christians, have an admirable devotion to the Lord in many things, EXCEPT in our ENTERTAINMENT choices.  How bad is it?  We are selling ourselves, and our children, for a mess of footage (pottage). Are we truly contemplating the future?

THE ANXIETY OF THE PROBLEM

 Some excuses that Christian give for watching TRASH:

 “Well, it didn’t have much profanity, I just tuned it out.”

 “If it bothers or offends you, then don’t watch it. It doesn’t bother me”

 “If you can’t handle it, don’t watch it. I’ve been out in the real world, I can handle it.”

 “We watched it at home without the kids. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

 “We won’t let the kids watch it.  We have parental controls. We watch it but not the kids”

Have you, as a Christian, become sensitized to obscenity, vulgarity, nudity, demonism and whatever other tactics Hollywood employs?  John the Apostle declared, “if we say that we have fellowship with
him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”   (I John 1:6)

THE ADMONITION TO PURITY

May I encourage you to be the Godly example that you CAN and NEED to be?  Others around you are
watching .  We need to win those around us with the Gospel of Jesus.  We need to win our children, teens, and peers.  They need to see in us a life of pure joy and Godly
living.

Jesus said, “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”  (Matthew 5:8). 
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there by any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

So, give a grade to our 21st century entertainment industry A to F? 
You have the ability to control TV/Movie selections, close it down, don’t purchase the products with bad
ratings.  Write to your local television station managers/owners with your concerns.  Instead, watch only clean and pure entertainment.  Guard your hearts and minds, along with your children.  They are our future!

Watchmen On The Wall
 
  Ms. Adams and I just returned from our 6th visit to the Watchmen On The Wall
conference in Washington D.C.,  which is sponsored by the Family Research
Council and Director Tony Perkins.  It was a delightful and spiritual experience.

 I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Dr. Tom Price, 7th District U.S.
Congressman of South Carolina and U.S. Congressman Mark Meadows of the 11th
District North Carolina.  Historian David Barton provided valuable insights of
our Christian heritage as a nation.  Among the speakers at the conference was
Franklin Graham.  Some of the topics presented were:  abortion, gay rights,
Muslim Influence in America, and the anti-Christian prevalence in America.

 Darla and I count it an honor to represent the Baptist Missionary Association
in this conference.  We must all enter a "Spiritual Boldness" in standing for
Jesus.  The apostle Paul states in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ…."

 2014 Freedom Offering

 The dates of June 29 and July 6, 2014 have been designated as  Moral Action
"Freedom Offering" Sundays.  Every offering, large or small, is  truly needed as
we keep this Agency healthy.  I joy in serving as your Missionary to Washington, D.C.
and at our state capitols.  Please help in this ministry, we need it.