"An Age Of Trial"

"We live, my dear, in an age of trial. What will be the consequences, I know not."

John Adams penned those words to his wife in 1774.

He and his colleagues faced a trying time---"An Age of Trial," and did not know for sure the outcome. We know it as the successful, American Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson, 31-years later, in his second Inaugural Address, confirmed something he, Adams and all those who led in the founding of this country, were absolutely certain of, "We are firmly convinced---that with nations, as with individuals, our interests soundly calculated, will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties."

As morality goes, so goes an individual and a nation.

This is an "Age of Trial "---in our communities, our state, our nation and our world.

There are those who work tirelessly to strip the moral fabric from the weave of our culture. There are also those who work tirelessly to advance moral and just policy in government, knowing as Jefferson knew, you cannot separate the moral and fiscal component of the culture. They are inseparable.

As I passed someone in a hallway on the Capitol Campus in Olympia the other day, they thanked me for our work and said, "Gary, what keeps you going at this level of activity?"

My answer to that is likely the same answer many of you would give.

From time to time throughout history, there has been an authentic "Age of Trial."

As a pastor I have preached sermons from the text of the Old Testament book of Hosea. It tells us much about national sin, the consequences and ultimately, God's grace.

The prophet wrote, "There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land....my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...because you have forgotten the Law of God; I will forget your children."

He said you have turned to so-called "allies" and they "have devoured your strength" and you don't even know it.

He said his country had "made many altars for sin" and God's laws are now considered a "strange thing."

There are those in the Washington State Legislature who agree with Jefferson and our Founders---as morality goes, so goes an individual, a state and a nation, and are working hard to pass state legislation consistent with that truth.

You know their names. You worked hard to help elect them. You voted for them.

But they are in the minority. And in nearly every case are asking me and Faith and Freedom to help them pass moral and responsible legislation by publicly confronting and exposing evil, informing and educating the public, advancing goodness and calling people to action.

This is our "Age of Trial."

A national cultural conflict unlike any I have seen in my lifetime is in play.

We are experiencing a financial crises unlike any for a very long time, touching most every individual and family in some way.

"An Age of Trial." What will be the consequences, we do not know. Much hangs in the balance for all of us.

I do know that God has led me to do what we're doing. This is a time for people of Christian faith to be informed. To be prayerful and discerning and active. We are doing our best to be a part of that process.

I have never been a high-powered fundraiser, nor could I be or want to be. However, I do want to be very honest with those of you who support what we are doing.

Our budget is modest and frugal, but it must be met. Last month that did not happen.

Could I ask you to help us financially this month? If it were unnecessary, I would not ask. Those who oppose us love these moments, but I know those who support us understand.

I'll skip any attempt at a hard sell and simply say thank you for doing what you can do. We really need it.

You may make a donation online here or mail a check.

Thank you for your response.

God bless you.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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