Rex M Rogers - Discerning What Is Best

Discerning What Is Best
with Dr. Rex M. Rogers

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 25 January 2021

No greater question can be asked of any human being than what Jesus asked the Pharisees, “What think ye of Christ?” (Matt. 22:42). And once you answer that question, particularly if you trust in Jesus Christ and him alone for your salvation, you become a Christian, so then “How should we then live?”

This latter question was asked by the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel (Ezek. 33:10) and then by Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer as an influential book entitled, How Should We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture (1976).

I was recently privileged to speak on these questions at my church, First Baptist Church of Middleville, MI:

And then was blessed with a publication entitled, “Two Profound Questions: What Think Ye of Christ? How Should We Then Live?”

Americans now live in an irreligious society. How should we then live?

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Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 22 January 2021

Are you stressed, distressed, obsessed, suppressed, repressed, oppressed, or just messed…up?

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.’

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:22-26).

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 20 January 2021

I appreciated the fact that, despite our culture’s pellmell, ongoing embrace of irreligious values, yet the Presidential Inaugural included an Invocation and Benediction, speakers, including the President, referred to Scripture, and they sang “Amazing Grace.”

At the end of the day, I’m glad for—

—the few hours of moving traditions and celebration of worthy ideals on Inauguration Day.

—for a peaceful transfer of power.

—for a day without violent incidents and thus the safety of people in the nation’s and state capitals.

—for a constitutional democratic republic, rule of law, free opportunity and enterprise, and inestimable civil liberties.

Now, is it possible that—

“With malice toward none with charity for all with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation's wounds...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations,” Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865, about one month before he was assassinated.

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 18 January 2021

My fav Martin Luther King, Jr quote, shared during his phenomenal “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963,

““I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

If you’ve never heard this speech it’s worth your time to watch it on YouTube.

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 15 January 2021

We're going through a bad time, but hope springs eternal>

>At the end of “Gond with the Wind” after years of tragic Civil War, Scarlett O’Hara said, “Tara. Home. I'll go home…After all, tomorrow is another day."

>In “Annie,” Orphan Annie sang, “The sun will come out Tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar That tomorrow There'll be sun! Just thinking about Tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs, And the sorrow 'Til there's none! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya Tomorrow! You're always a day away”

>In “Cast Away,” Tom Hanks-as-Chuck Noland wraps the film saying, “And I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?”

>In Scripture, Isaiah says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 14 January 2021

If I had 3 wishes, I’d wish...

...that politicians rise to the occasion as Statesmen/women jettisoning partisanship and personal aggrandizement in favor of patriotic civic ideals,

...that the rule of law based on the US Constitution and Bill of Rights would be respected above all else, including the interests of any politician,

...that reason would replace rancor.

Whatever you think of President Trump, or for that matter VP Mike Pence, you should be glad for and praying for Mike Pence this week. With Mr. Trump's expected absence from the Inauguration Jan 20, Mr. Pence becomes the titular head of the outgoing Administration. His presence at the inaugural, thankfully welcomed by President-elect Joe Biden, is a symbol of the blessings of a free constitutional republic, important to a peaceful transition of power, and a personal statement toward dialing down heated rhetoric and actions.

Of course, Pence and Biden hold different political views and no doubt will debate in the future, but on this day, this is secondary to the well-being of American democracy.

And pray for the safety not only of participants in the Inauguration but also thousands of National Guard, federal, and local agency personnel.

Finally, pray the entire day comes off without incidents.