Many of the Christian preachers, prophets, teachers and leaders I respect and listen to, have been talking about the historic importance of Passover this year. They also are saying Pentecost (Sunday May 31) will begin a new epoch/era. One of my mentors—prophet, historian, businessman and teacher is suggesting (though not declaring) that the destiny of America will be decided by how Christians react to and obey 2 Chronicles 7:14.

“If my people, who are called by my name will…

1. Humble themselves
2. Pray
3. Seek my face
4. Turn from their wicked ways…

If May 31 is the crucial date, then we have 26 days. If Pentecost Season is the targeted time, we have a bit more time. What are we specifically to do? I know what “Pray,” and “Seek My face” means. How would we adequately “humble” ourselves? And more grievous and vexing is which wicked ways are we to turn from? My spirit has been heavy today as if this is really important. I desire to obey, but not sure what is required.

Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse and the Central Park field hospital have been thrown out of NYC by the City Council. If I understand correctly, a city council member called for their ouster.

“Franklin Graham, came at a time when our city couldn’t in good conscience turn away any offer of help,” said Speaker Corey Johnson on Friday. “That time has passed. Their continued presence here is an affront to our values of inclusion, and is painful for all New Yorkers who care deeply about the LGBTQ community.”

Johnson said that while the coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing, New York should not allow Samaritan’s Purse to offer help to city residents affected by the virus “as a city that values diversity and compassion for all.”

“Mount Sinai must sever its relationship with Samaritan’s Purse. Its leader calls the LGBTQ community ‘detestable’ and ‘immoral.’ He says being gay is ‘an affront to God,’ and refers to gay Christians as ‘the enemy,'” Johnson said. “Samaritan’s Purse requires its volunteers to agree to a written affirmation ‘that marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female.’ Hate has no place in our beautiful city.”

Last evening, Franklin Graham and his 3 sons and 1 daughter were on TBN to talk about Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham ministries. All have come from other careers to work in one of these ministries. One son was in military Special Ops with 8 tours. Strong people! Articulate, passionate. One after another said to Franklin, “Like you always taught us—be bold!”

I don’t know Franklin Graham personally. I’ve never met him. I cannot fathom Franklin being a hater. I have never sensed hatred. He speaks his mind out of his faith commitment and biblical interpretation—boldly and bluntly. The family I saw  appear to me to speak without malice or guile.

John 1:47 keeps coming to mind:

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, ‘Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!’”

Franklin had no contract with NYC. The donors to Samaritan’s Purse paid the total bill of the hospital work in Central Park. The field hospital is “better than the military has” according to military people. The BGEA has meant top-drawer, state of the art, integrity and generosity, to me.

Samaritan’s Purse has spent and given billions of dollars of health care and medicines while charging patients nothing. Without conditions or exceptions.

World domination is not just a variation of opinion.  

“Turn from their wicked ways….” I get it that the hatred dominating our country leading to abandonment of common sense and sanity would garner God’s call to “turn from your wicked ways,” but it is to His People the Father is demanding rejecting and walking away from wicked ways.

“If My people…will turn from their wicked ways.” What wicked ways? And who will we trust to tell us?  The people who first heard these words were hard to identify from the surrounding cultures and religions. God’s People were taking morality and faith clues and cues from idols, sexual mores, family habits, social practices and governmental structures God had forbidden. Forbidden for His people because they led to mental and social sickness and death to the individual, the land and to nations.  The wicked ways of surrounding nation’s environment had become  the ways of Chosen Ones.    Of course, Israel and Judah had the creativity to add their own unique “wicked ways.” Is that what God meant?

I keep saying to myself, “Deano—you may have about 26 25 days to figure this out.”

Best news I’ve heard this morning: “You are anointed to lean into the future.”

© 2020 D. Dean Benton–writer, wonderer, witness & turning seeker.

My heart has been filled with “freedom’s greatest threat is freedom.” The previous article/blogs speak to that. Thanks for considering.