Revelation 14:8    And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

                The above reference points to a time during the Great Tribulation when “Babylon” will cause all nations to be intoxicated with sin and godlessness. Nations will lose all sense of morality and reason, and follow mindlessly after her. Some have interpreted “Babylon” as a commercial/political system and others as a religious anti-God movement. There are others (like myself) who believe that the ancient city of Babylon in modern day Iraq will rise again. As in days past, she will cause humankind to be drunk with pride and rebellion in the last days. However one interprets Babylon, one thing is for sure – human beings will be greatly deceived and lose all moral consciousness during this period.

                Although the drunkenness of the end-times will be on a world-wide scale, history reveals several instances of mass drunkenness in individual nations. Thomas Mann, a German writer who had to go into exile because of his anti-fascist views, compared the coming of Hitler and the Nazis to a kind of “mass drunkenness” in Germany. He described it as an intoxication where “virtue sets aside her shield, the mind drops its scepter . . . Mass-drunkenness, which relieves the individual of responsibility, is an end in itself. The ideology which it exalts, such as the State, or Socialism, or the greatness of the country, is not essential to it. They are only pretexts. The one aim is drunkenness. One must get rid of his own self, his own thoughts – or, more precisely, of morality and reason in general.” Mann (I don’t agree with him on everything) saw clearly what many in Germany failed to see until it was too late.

                This mass intoxication that comes from a bottle of lies is no different than the one from an alcoholic beverage. People under the influence are no longer in proper control of their actions, behavior or decisions. They lose their ability to discern and defend themselves and are easily robbed. They do things to others that bring sorrow, shame, abuse, and pain. When they get sober, they have bruises they can’t explain, losses they can’t retrieve and regrets they can’t take back. Symptoms of this mass drunkenness can be seen in America today. Right before our eyes – untold billions are being spent; our defenses are being lowered against proven enemies like Russia; proven allies like Israel are being abandoned; our children are being subject to strange indoctrinations; socialism is exalted through the health scare plan; government interference in business and banking system is growing daily; traditional family values are being eroded; and biblical principles that undergird this nation have been discarded. Our founding fathers would be shocked to see what is happening in America today. In fact, they would think that we were drunk for allowing such things to pass right under our noses. The consequences of these decisions are not only devastating to us but also to our children and grandchildren.

                Here is the concoction to get our nation sober: Titus 2:12-13 “ . . . denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Let’s take the first step today: “Hi my name is (Insert Your Name here) and I am mass drunk.” Anybody else sober out there?

American women are notorious for speaking their mind. They actually think for themselves! An example of this behavior was demonstrated at the Miss USA Pageant last week by Miss California, Carrie Prejean. When asked whether she believed in gay marriage by judge Perez Hilton (an openly gay gossip blogger), she replied "I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. But in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." Needless to say, Mr. Hilton was disappointed with her reply and later had a word of admonishment for Ms. Prejean. Some Hollywood celebrities joined in to express their intolerance of Miss California’s intolerant views.

Just when one would expect an apology or “I just want world peace”, Ms. Prejean told the Today show, "I was attacked for giving my own opinion onstage at a Miss USA contest. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to protect marriage. It is something that is very dear to my heart and I'm just here to protect it, that's all I'm here to do." God forbid if such women believe something is right. They will not back down. I know. I am married to one. What is even more mind-boggling is that far from casting off restraint, Miss California is advocating traditional family values. She seems to stand for the complementary roles of men and women in the family. She represents the enigma of the American woman who is bold in her beliefs but modest in her virtues. Somehow she balances the two qualities without any fear or coercion.

What should be done about such audacious behavior? Let’s consider some alternatives. Should we go back to the ancient Athenians who did not permit their women to speak in public and treated them as slaves? How about the tradition of some ancient cultures of burning a widow alive on her husband’s funeral pyre because she had no identity of her own? If neither of them seems impressive enough, how about those male dominated cultures that practice honor killings to this day? Count me out. I agree with that wise man who said, “There would never be a war between the sexes because there is too much fraternizing with the enemy.”

I say we give Miss Prejean a break. She is just a victim of her circumstances. After all she said herself “that’s how I was raised.” Standing up for her conviction at the expense of a tiara is an American trait that Miss California seems to have inherited. Having grown up in a nation where women are treated as human beings she felt she had the right to speak her mind. Maybe, it’s because she grew up in a Christian nation. As Alvin Schmidt remarked in his book Under the Influence: How Christianity transformed Civilization: “. . . where else do women have more freedom, opportunity, and human worth than in countries that have been highly influenced by the Christian ethic?”

Maybe she is actually living out Romans 12:2 which says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Nobody likes change. We are open to change only when we begin to feel the truth. In his book The Heart of Change John Kotter (Harvard professor who has been the change guru for over three decades) made a keen observation: “People change what they do less because they are given analysis that shifts their thinking than because they are shown a truth that influences their feelings.” In the last election many Americans felt that things had to change. There is some truth to their feelings.

Our financial sectors need to change. The fire sales of financial companies and the mismanagement of government-sponsored enterprises have shown that we need more accountability in the system. People have lost their entire life savings through Ponzi schemes like the Madoff scam and big business scandals.

Our educational system needs to change. The TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) studies have shown that our students are trailing behind some third world countries in academic standards. Our children and grandchildren deserve better.

Our job outlook needs to change. According to the ADP National Employment Report the employment decreased by 522,000 in January, which is a total of 2.2 million nonfarm private-sector jobs since August 2008. We all have a brother or sister or friend or neighbor who recently lost their job.

Yes, some things do need to change. But not all things should change.

Our commitment to capitalism should not change. The freedom to succeed without government interference still draws the world to America. Tony Blair, former British prime minister, once said, “For all their faults and all nations have them, the US are a force for good . . . I sometimes think it is a good rule of thumb to ask of a country: are people trying to get into it or out of it? It's not a bad guide to what sort of country it is.”

Our commitment to national defense should not change. September 11 is a reminder that human beings are still sinful and wicked. War should be the last alternative to resolving conflicts. But as George Washington knew so well, “to be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” Lowering our defenses is a sure way to invite attacks. Theodore Roosevelt said on more than one occasion: “I have always been fond of the West African proverb: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick.’”

Our commitment to our foundational values should not change. Biblical principles are still the bedrock on which our nation was founded. The value of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness were based on Christian values. While I agree that the house needs some remodeling, I don’t think that blowing up the foundation is the place to begin. Proverbs 22:28 reminds us “Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.” There are landmarks throughout the history of our nation. Too often people think that landmarks hinder us from exploring unchartered territories. On the contrary, landmarks are a reminder that someone has been there before. Before we consider removing them, let’s ask why they were placed. The reason might save our nation.

              Ronald Reagan said of Margaret Thatcher (England’s Prime Minister 1979-1990), “she is the best man in England.” This statement might offend some, but it does not offend Southern Baptists. Lately there have been accusations that Palin’s candidacy is a challenge to the Southern Baptist view of women. I completely disagree. I am a Southern Baptist woman; my father was a Southern Baptist pastor; and my husband is also a Southern Baptist pastor. I have no issue with a woman being in a position of leadership in the workforce. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 does not deal with women being in leadership outside of the home and church. These are two separate issues.

            Even in the home a woman is not subservient to her husband, she is to be submissive to her husband. There is a big difference between the two terms. Subservient implies abject obedience to someone, while submission is “voluntarily placing oneself under the authority of another.” The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. And how much was that? So much that He died for the church. Jesus also was an example of how men should lead, by being a servant-leader; which means that He served the people He led. As Christians, men and women are called to these specific roles only in the church and home, not in the public arena.

            The choice that a woman makes to stay at home or to work outside the home is a family decision. The Palins obviously made this choice together, seeing that Todd Palin has been supportive of his wife’s career in public service. There is no “challenge to Southern Baptists’ conservative ideas about the role of women as leaders.” I believe that conservative, evangelical Southern Baptist men and women are applauding Sarah Palin for all that she is doing. As a mother of four children, myself, I understand how important family is. As a woman in the workforce, I understand how demanding a job can be. To be able to balance these two areas is admirable. I commend Sarah Palin for job well done, but I also commend her family for supporting her.

We have all heard these words or some variation of them lately. Everyone is feeling the pinch in one way or the other. Sometimes the pinch is not immediate, as one lady remarked to me, “I am not that worried about myself as I am about my children and my grandchildren.” How can we as Americans respond to such times? It’s time we return to some foundational values that made us great.

First, it still pays to budget and save. Stopping all spending is not the option. It is unrealistic and counterproductive. It is unrealistic because without spending you cannot survive. It is counterproductive because it will make the economy even worse if there is no cash flow. Instead, do you remember seeing your parents and grandparents budgeting and saving? Those habits require discipline and self-control but the rewards are tremendous and long-lasting. For example - a good home cooked meal not only saves money but also remains a miracle cure for most family conflicts. When you eat out remember to take those coupons. We keep ours in a folder in our van so when the urge hits we can eat out and still feel smart about it.

Second, don’t wait for it to come to you. We have heard the words “global economy” more than ever lately. The internet has forever changed the face of our world and business. We may not be able to return to the glory days of Norman Rockwell’s small town USA or Remington’s Old West, but we still have the spirit of America. “Pulling yourself by your bootstraps” still remains a unique American spirit. The French political thinker and historian, Tocqueville observed this spirit in his visit to America in the 1830s. He said, “As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?” Although we know that money is not everything, we know how to adapt, adjust, regroup and step into the face of the global challenge. We need to instill this spirit of entrepreneurship in our children and train them to value education, broaden their horizons, work hard, take calculated risks, and not wait for it to come to them.

Third, begin to invest in our local community. It has been my experience that instead of buying something locally and saving more we often drive two hours to look for a bargain. Then if we are dissatisfied or need servicing we drive again. By supporting our local businesses we will fuel our local economy and support our local job market. The job you save might be your own.

Finally, remember to be thankful. No matter how hard the times get, we are still blessed to be living in a great nation. Our freedoms are a gift from God and still worth preserving. We need to take seriously the words in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” God is not through with our nation if we turn from our sins and return to Him. Will Rogers, cowboy and humorist from yesteryears, once remarked, “What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds.”It is good to have things that money can buy as long as we don’t lose the things that money can’t buy.