I wonder why the whole nation doesn't stop and have one massive town meeting on interactive television and make realistic plans to change some of the influential and formative messages that proceed from the entertainment industry, the media, and other sources of persuasion, even if it means doing away with some of our "rights" that prevent strong measures. A society that clings to its rights at the expense of the safety of its children is not wise.

It isn't going to happen. Next week there will be something more heinous while the nation is involved in professional athletics. The parents of the four little girls who were shot will continue to stare in unbelief at the empty bedrooms and try to continue to exist. It's a great country until your child is murdered!

We are not repenting, so God is going to bring America to her knees in the near future.

The concept of an introduction, three points, a few well chosen anecdotes, and a brilliant conclusion coming from the pulpit must be looked at again. It is not doing the job. The minister must stir himself to seek God until the congregation is actually praying and seeking God with fiery intensity. The "service" as usually perceived may not be strong and demanding enough spiritually to enable the believers to cope with the spiritual darkness invading our nation.

The worship must be extraordinary, perhaps including pageantry, until the people are moved and involved. A few hymns, a choir number, a musical special, served "Moses." But this pattern does not meet the needs of "Joshua." It is vestigial.

How about next Sunday morning having the congregation march around the pews, led by young people with banners portraying the ramping Lion or the Rider on the white war stallion, accompanied only by a drumbeat. Keep marching until the people get the idea they are being prepared for war. Such behavior in church is much more effective and realistic in terms of the needs of society when children in school are strafing other children with high powered rifles.

If we are to be successful in moving forward with God there are some principles we must observe. Foremost among the guiding principles is that of very careful adherence to the written Word of God, the New Testament especially, and also the Old Testament as applicable.

We of the Pentecostal-Charismatic camp do not have an enviable record when it comes to adhering to the written Word of God. We are emotionally oriented to the Gospel. We are in clear danger of becoming the False Prophet, that is, believers who attempt to maintain their own soulish life and at the same time employ the gifts and powers of the Spirit of God.

We are not checking with the Scriptures as carefully as we should. We are not testing the spirits. We are not trying the apostles. If we are to survive and stand before Christ at His appearing we must return to the Scriptures and meditate on them day and night, not being so quick and ready to follow the crowd in seeking spiritual thrills.

To be continued.