Genesis 18:23-33

In Genesis 18 we read that God was going to destroy Sodom for the wickedness of it's people. We also find Abraham bargaining with God. He can't believe God would destroy the righteous along with the wicked. So he starts to play "let's make a deal": He asks God if he will spare the city if 50 righteous men are found. God says, "Okay...if 50 are found." Then Abraham starts to haggle...how about 45? "Okay, 45". Hmmm...how about 40? On and on it goes, Abraham getting more humble all the while and trying to see just how far he can get. Finally they agree on 10. And God says, "I will not destroy it for ten's sake."

Sometimes I'm afraid that God might be nearing the point where He's about to open a 55-gallon drum of "whoop ass" on our country. We (the "silent majority") have allowed prayer to be taken out of our schools. We don't display the ten commandments in our public buildings. There is great controversy over places where Nativity scenes are allowed to be displayed. We don't want to offend or be politically incorrect by standing by the motto this country was founded on: "In God We Trust". I'm sure this makes Him sad...if not angry.

But then I see how many truly righteous (right with God) people there are in this country. Not the politicians who get up and end their speeches with "God bless America". But real people who want Christ to be the center of their lives. Who want to follow Jesus with every fiber of their being. I was reminded of this last weekend. Conyers' own Georgia International Horse Park hosted the 2nd annual "Celebrate Freedom" concert. This is an all-day free concert featuring Christian entertainers. Thousands of people gather and sit almost all day (9:00 a.m. to about midnight) to enjoy the inspiring music and messages of these talented musicians. They are not only enjoying the music...they are really feeling it and participating in the worship. And they are unashamed in doing so. Jessica had been there most of the day (and was as red as a lobster from the hot, Georgia sun) but I just joined her to see Mercy Me -- her favorite band. It was such an inspiration to be there.

Three weeks from today I'm going with some friends to the Women of Faith conference in Atlanta. This will be the 3rd year that I'm going. It's held at the Phillips Arena. Seating capacity for the arena is 18, 729...and it will most likely be a near capacity crowd, if not sold out. This is a two-day conference of very inspirational and funny women speaking to other women. It is a soul-refreshing experience that lasts long after you leave the arena.

So I know there are wonderful, righteous, God-loving people in this country. Lord...for the sake of these, will you spare the United State of America?