Wednesday, October 16, 2019
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Carol Bauer
As you know, my wife, Carol, prepares a monthly prayer alert. I hope you will share Carol's thoughts with your friends and fellow worshipers. Thank you for taking an interest in her monthly devotion. --Gary
Gary and I are fresh off attending the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., this past weekend. Though the gorgeous fall weather outside beckoned, a couple thousand conservative activists hunkered down inside and turned their sights on an array of impressive speakers, nearly all of whom focused on the importance of the next 13 months. So much is at stake! (If you missed Gary's remarks to the Summit, you can watch them here.)
We repeatedly heard stories of the onslaught against our values being waged in local communities, within the education establishment, the medical community and in the media. On the one hand, it all felt a bit overwhelming.
On the other hand, there was much thankfulness that the boldness of the other side is now revealing their true agenda. The days when they tiptoed around their agenda are over. Now there is clarity for all to see.
They do intend to transform America through the values taught to our children and grandchildren, through redefining age-old standards and by undermining institutions based on Biblical values that have withstood centuries of change -- until now.
The weekend seemed like the embodiment of the famous first line of Charles Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
Yes, the challenges to our worldview are tremendous. But we also have strong and articulate leaders, an engaged citizenry, new ways to communicate with one another and a better understanding of how those who do not share our values can hijack an issue through stealth, misrepresentation or molding public opinion through what is NOT reported.
I came away from the weekend with a new appreciation of the power of story, the effectiveness of a narrative. I will be the first to acknowledge that in the past I have been overly dependent on facts, history, numbers, percentages, direct quotes, historical comparisons and any number of ways to win an argument or win over someone by being dependent on all those cold, hard but often boring facts.
As I listened to one speaker after another, I was struck by the overarching theme that seemed to tie one presentation to the next. A "just the facts" approach may win over a few, but a memorable personal story or example of the real world impact of some policy change that illustrates our point is far more effective.
People relate to one another through shared experience and emotion. Ever notice how effective politicians lace their arguments with a memorable personal story that illustrates their point? The most dynamic speakers, the ones whose key points you remember, are likely those who gently and firmly explain the real world impact on their lives, on your life.
Have you learned about a new school policy regarding the teaching of family life education that you find shocking and feel others will too? Tell others how it prompted shocking questions from your child. Is your family business challenged by some new effort at social engineering which put your years of work in a tailspin? Share the real world impact with others.
The emotion of listening to a mother with two children who have become part of the transgender movement as she described its impact on these young people with the willing affirmation of the medical community, which chooses not to deal with psychological impacts and long term health consequences was, so shocking.
The words of emotion and forgiveness from young people who were survivors of abortion, and who sat before us as living examples of the damage and horror of unfettered abortion rights, were far more powerful than a purely factual presentation.
With this new awareness on my part (maybe I'm a slow learner and you came to this conclusion long ago!), I've decided to use personal stories and examples to shed new light on issues in a way that could be far more effective. Personal narrative is powerful! Let your story and experience do the talking.
Heavenly Father, you have designed each of us as one-of-a-kind individuals. Our life experience, our family history, our goals and aspirations and the impact we can have are unique to us. Our own story and its application to what is happening in the wider culture or on our own family, a business we own or our church, can open eyes like rote facts cannot.
Dear God, help us to look to you for strength and insight, look to our own lives for examples and then help us to shape a narrative that will be winsome and memorable and that will change minds or prompt action by others. Give us the spark of ingenuity and humor, and help us to weave our story with the right facts so that we are the most effective communicators for you.
No doubt you remember the story of Pastor Andrew Brunson. He and his wife, Norine, had served as missionaries in Turkey for decades before his arrest about three years ago on espionage charges. He languished in a Turkish prison or under house arrest for two years.
Through the efforts of President Trump, Vice President Pence, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the heartfelt prayers of millions, Pastor Brunson was released one year ago. He has penned a book about his experience entitled "God's Hostage," which is being released this week.
Pastor Brunson was honored at the Values Voter Summit with The Cost of Discipleship Award. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback spoke to honor him. Both noted the millions around the world who today, in the 21st Century, are being persecuted for their faith. Some join the long line of believers who have been martyred for being followers of Christ. Religious persecution is growing, not diminishing.
Dear Father, persecution can and is happening here in the United States. We are already seeing men and women of faith being forced to accept radical societal changes within the walls of the church or face the consequences in the Body of Christ. One person's right or the state's agenda always seems to trump Biblically based cultural codes. We are told we must bend to breathtaking cultural change and all that comes with it.
Dear God, give us strength and words of strength and illumination to withstand the onslaught, to teach others and turn the tide to empower the coming generations to be steadfast in their faith so they are ready for the challenges ahead.
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