Just a few days ago I heard on the news that a popular TV evangelist seemed to call for the assassination of a "dictator" of a foreign country. At this writing I don't know what the outcome of that will be but in my humble opinion, I don't think evangelists are to be making such statements. (I have heard that he attempted to retract the statement but it wasn't very convincing). I, for one evangelist, hope never to be caught in such a situation as to make such kinds of statements not just in pubic but in private also. I served this country and would have laid down my life if needed. To make a statement such as that, though, about a foreign country's president is not becoming of the office of evangelist. We are to seek and save the lost not to call for their destruction. I have commented on what I believe the Bible says about our political involvement should be, previously. I don't think it included assassinations. Granted this foreign president (or is he a king) has been causing problems for his country and others around him but to call for his assassination lacks good judgment. Statements like that will just infuriate the man and incite him to more trouble for others. Since the evangelist is not in the leadership of this government (although I think he would like very much to be) he needs to use civility and compassion in his statements about others such as this situation. I'm sure this government will respond in an appropriate way when called to do so.
This past July 16 we had a free hotdog and hamburger cookout for the community and friends. I sent out 150 invitations and handed out several more. I don't know if any others were handed out. I had one visitor from my invitations that I passed out at the hangar where I work. He doesn't even live near the church building and was interested enough to stop. I sent out invitations cards to those in the Roanoke area that get the newsletter but I didn't get any responses from them. Nor did I get any response from those in the immediate community that I sent invitations cards to in addition to the newsletter mailing list. Those not in the Roanoke area, who receive this newsletter, didn't get an invitation because I didn't expect you to travel that far for this type of food and fellowship. It leaves me disappointed and wondering who will be loyal to the Lord's church? It seems those who get the newsletter in this area are not the least concerned otherwise I would have at least gotten a call or someone to drop by jus for a few minutes. We had about an hour to an hour and a half of cooking time before it rained, so it wasn't like we got rained out during the cookout. While we were sitting around, after we ate, waiting for the others to show up (that never happened) it started to rain. We had an enjoyable time even though it was a small group. The remainder of the unopened, perishable foods (80 hotdogs, 80 hamburgers, the corresponding buns and some of the chips) went to the local rescue mission designated for their women and children. I looked for a church related camp nearby that needed the food but found none that needed it. I think, the next time we have a cookout we will just buy enough to feed ourselves with just a few extras.