Steve Mensing, Editor
♦On Monday evening at 6 PM Rowan County Commission Chairman Jim Sides, adhering to the Federal District Court order, opened the commission meeting with an alternative non-sectarian prayer. In the Chairman’s comments, prior to the prayer, Chairman Sides delivered what amounted to a brief Christian sermon. As one attendee commented after the meeting: “You can’t keep a good God fearing man down.” Another video highlight was the exchange between Commission Vice Chairman Craig Pierce and EDC head Robert Van Goens. (See “Presentation for Proposed Existing Industry Support Initiative” starting at 29:32)
The video:
http://rowancountync.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=402
Commission Chairman Jim Sides sermon:
Mix a little History, Sunday School Lesson, Personal Testimony
I would like to read a quote from the year 1816, from Justice John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court: “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
Those words come from a Supreme Court Judge I would put my trust in. I would accept his word over our current President’s as to whether America is a Christian nation or not.
Had America followed his admonition for the last 250 years or so, we would not be where we are today, fighting lawsuits over praying in Jesus’ name!
Patrick Henry said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!”
When I was elected County Commissioner in 1980, I had several campaign verses:
Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
I posted those verses on my campaign material. I quoted those verses almost everywhere I spoke. I still believe those verses today. I believe that it is through the blessings of God and His divine providence that I am privileged to serve as a Rowan County Commissioner. In 1980, we rotated between commissioners for prayer at the beginning of the meeting. I actually learned a Bible verse from Eugene McCombs that he quoted often in his prayer, Psalms 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” I did not wonder who Mr. McCombs was referring to. I was grateful for his insight and wisdom. Believe me, there were many times back then when the content of that verse and his prayer were needed.
But let me speak now of today…
In just a few short weeks, I will turn 65 years of age. At the age of 15, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I remember the time very well. Now my mother, who is here tonight, will certainly tell you that I did not become a saint overnight. In fact, as many of you well know, I have not arrived yet. I visited a church yesterday and saw a man, Mr. Larry Luther, who was my Sunday School teacher when I was ten or eleven years old, 55 years ago. He and his family were a great influence in my life over the years. For the last 50 years, I have given my best effort to living a Christian life. I go to my prayer closet and read my Bible and pray ALMOST every day before I leave home, and I do pray there in Jesus’ name.
Several weeks ago, when I realized that tonight would be my turn in the rotation to pray, I began to study and pray and ask God to give me guidance in what to do. In 50 years of praying, I have never prayed from my head… no prepared prayers… no written prayers… I have always prayed from my heart… and when I pray, ending the prayer in Jesus’ name just comes naturally, because I am a Christian, and I realize He is the only one who can answer my prayer. But now, I am being told that I cannot pray from my heart… I must pray from my head… I must say to myself… don’t say Jesus. You can use certain names, but not the name of Jesus. How absurd.-
As I read and studied and asked for God’s guidance and wisdom, He led me to Matthew 6 and today I am going to pray a prepared prayer, a written prayer, but still a prayer from my heart. If any of you so choose, you may join me in what is commonly referred to as the Lord’s prayer:
“Our Father, which art in heaven, Hollowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. AMEN
