Dear Beachside Family and Friends,

In January of 1969 the acid rock/psychedelic rock/heavy metal band Led Zeppelin released a song entitled "Dazed and Confused." One of several successful songs on their self-named debut album, "Dazed and Confused" not only reflected the thoughts of the author and performers, but also was a commentary on the state of society in the late 60's, at least among young "progressives".

Almost fifty years later it can easily be observed that our culture has not improved from "dazed and confused". If anything, society seems more confused and detached from reality than five decades ago.  Children are wantonly slain in the womb for the convenience of their mothers, individuals mutilate their God-created bodies in a fruitless attempt to change their sex, and some pastors teach that the contents of the Bible are not moral absolutes, but guidelines, as if the scripture was an evolved "pirate code". Arrgh!

Confusion is never the work of God. 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace.." He is a protector of life, not the purveyor of death, as Jesus revealed in John 10:10, declaring that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy: I am come that they may have life and more abundant life". God is never confused. He did not inspire advances in medicines and medical technology for the purpose of ending the lives of innocent children. He did not give talent and highly developed skills to surgeons for the purpose of attempting to change what He created. 

How is it that we accept these things and call them progress? Progress should be defined as forward momentum, not a decent into confusion and destruction. Progress should embody the advancement of life, the life through which God blesses mankind and delivers us from our own folly. Is it not sensible to believe that children are conceived to live and not die, and that God's natural order of sexuality is established at the moment of conception? He never makes a mistake, and only those blinded to the truth could embrace the confusion so readlly accepted by many who say they know and love Him. 

Paul wrote "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) The God of this age is none other than the deceiver Lucifer, who believed that he could dethrone God. We know him as Satan, and his blindness has infected humanity, whom he deceives into believing that they themselves are God, free to reject Divine plan and purpose without consequence. 

Satan was so dazed and confused that he had Jesus murdered, crucified by clueless Roman authorities. He believed that he had dealt with his "Jesus problem" permanently. In his pride and confusion, he made the second greatest mistake in his existence. The Word reveals "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) in Satan's arrogance he killed Jesus, facilitating the resurrection of the Lord of Glory and establishing His Church, and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

Since Satan and his confusion cannot prevail against both-again believers in Jesus, we can remain at peace in the midst of the cultural storm. We should exercise our faith, take authority over the devil, and speak words of truth and life into the storm of confusion that besets our society and nation. Peace will prevail, and sense will return if we stand for life and the truth of God's Word. We need never be  "dazed and confused". We can be confident in our future as believers. By the way, I've read the back of the Book, and WE WIN!

Pastor Ramon

Dear Beachside Family and Friends,

According to recent Barna Group research, 57% of American adults believe that knowing what is morally right or wrong is a matter of personal experience and interpretation. Among this group, 74% of millennials agree that "whatever is right for your life or works best for you is the only truth you can know." These findings indicate  that a majority of adult Americans, and three quarters of young adults, believe that morality is a matter of personal interpretation, and not subject to any absolutes. 

The  midterm elections ahead provides a background that highlights the significance of this research. It appears that a substantial number of our citizens are willing to support candidates who lie without fear of correction or reprisal. If lying for political gain is acceptable, where do we draw the line between  right and wrong in other matters of culture? If we elect and support leaders who purposefully deceive us, we certainly have no basis to complain when they continue to lie. Is this truly the conviction of the majority of our citizens, that we can construct our own morality apart from our responsibility to others?

My observation of Christians and non-Christians, liberals and conservatives, men and women alike is this: No one really likes to be lied to, especially in the context of relationships. We do not want someone to tell us they love us, and sleep with someone else. It's a lie! We don't want insurance companies to tell us our losses are covered, and then refuse to pay up. It's a lie! We don't want to buy a product that has a guarantee that we later discover is worthless. It's a lie! The amazing thing is this: we don't like to be lied to personally, but it's acceptable if politicians lie to citizens locally and nationwide. Are we so intent on personal gain that we end up lying to ourselves?

If there are no moral absolutes, and we develop our own morality, then we have become the center of our own universe, our own god. This Self-ism is a religion that enables us to accept the falsehoods of those running for and holding political office because we believe that we personally benefit from electing them. It's appropriate for them to deceive as long as we get what we want. This thinking can only result in being deceived and deceiving ourselves. If they lied to others they WILL lie to us! Liars lie, it's what they do, and when they do it long enough they begin to believe their own lies, to the detriment of everyone. 

Solomon, the most powerful political figure of his day made this statement. "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death." (Pro 14:12) Unfortunately, he did not take his own advice. He became self-absorbed and created his own morality, forsaking the law of God and lying to himself. "For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God" (1 Kings 11:4) In spite of all of his riches and wisdom, he died declaring that life was worthless and vain. His son Rehoboam followed in his footsteps, and lost the rulership of Israel, except the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. 

The ways of death will be manifest in those who choose to live lives of deception and immorality. Not because God desires this result, but because becoming one's own god removes the influence of the true God from human lives. Left to themselves, with no moral absolutes, men invite death and destruction into their lives and the culture in which they live. The United States stands on the knife edge between a descent into unfettered immorality and Self-ism, or an ascent to reclaim the summit of Biblical morality. There is still hope, as the same Barna Group survey reveals that "a majority also agrees that the Bible provides us with absolute moral truths which are the same for all people in all situations, without exception.” The seeds of revival are found in the Word of God. Those who say they are believers must now choose to stand upon the Word without fear or equivocation. As always, it's all about the Word. The future of our nation depends on it!

Pastor Ramon

Dear Beachside Family and Friends,

In an ancient kingdom in the land of Shinar, the precursor of Babylon, the people had a plan. They would build a great monument, a great tower that would reach up into heaven. Their ability and wealth was substantial. They fully expected to fulfill their marvelous vision. Nothing could stop them from accomplishing what their imagination had conceived.

The people's power to achieve their goal was even recognized by God. "But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. (Genesis 11:5-6) God's statement reveals two important principles necessary for any group of people to achieve great things. The first is common purpose, and the second is common language. 

If a nation is to achieve great things, there must be agreement among its' citizens and they must speak the same language. They must have common culture and communicate clearly with each other. The United States was founded by those who spoke English and embraced a common culture of Judeo-Christian values. These two factors of common culture and language enabled our nation to accomplish truly great things and become the most powerful, successful, and free country that has ever existed. Many have come to our shores since our founding, accepting our values  and language. In recent times, others have come with no desire to embrace our unique American culture or to learn to speak English. If we are to continue to succeed as a nation, our entire population, including those who come from other countries seeking a better life, must embrace American  culture and the English language.

The same is true for the church. The kingdom of God is unified and advanced by common culture and common language. God only speaks one language. He speaks it in every human and heavenly tongue, but He speaks just one language. God speaks Bible! If the church is to accomplish the plans and purposes of God, we must also speak His language. If those of us in the Body of Christ desire individually rewarding relationships with our Father,  we should speak with Him in our common language. If we want to accomplish His will personally and collectively,  we cannot live and speak contrary to His Word. The Bible is His language and should be ours. 

Our nation needs a thriving and influential Church. Christians who hold common culture and language with God can restore the United States of America to her place of leadership and prosperity among the nations of the world. Paul encouraged us "But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith.) (1 Cor 1:10)

If we choose to unite around what God says and speak His Word as our first language, nothing will be impossible for us. As Jesus said in Mark 11:23 "23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." Jesus spoke (and is still speaking) God's language. He encourages us to do the same. Common culture and common language are powerful things. God's culture and His language have unlimited power to transform the Church, our Nation, and our lives. Let us say what God says about all things, and watch His Word change poverty to prosperity, sickness to health, and death to life!

Pastor Ramon