If you wonder why our nation is in such a mess and why churches are so weak read the article below. It goes to show that we are living on a mission field right here at home. God help us to give ourselves more fully to the work of evangelism. Bro. Stone

Staff writer, Christianity Today said— 

recent research has suggested that many professing Christians do not believe this to be true. Or at least, not true of themselves.

According to a report from the American Worldview Inventory 2025, 84 per cent of Americans believe that sin exists, but just over half believe that everyone sins

Only 52% of American adults are willing to concede that they themselves are sinner, a figure that rises to two thirds among self-described Christians.

A third of adults say that they do not sin, but everyone else does, according to the report which was compiled by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.

Among those who describe themselves as born-again Christians, a quarter will not accept being called a “sinner” and 70 per cent believe that people are “basically good at heart”.

The research also indicated that age may be a slight factor in the belief in universal sinfulness. Around 41 per cent of Generation Z believe that everyone sins, compared to 49 per cent of Millennials, 53 per cent of Gen X and 57 per cent of Baby Boomers.

Dr George Barna, a Professor at Arizona Christian University, said the figures indicated a failure of Christian teaching, citing 2019 Pew research that suggested just three per cent of Christian sermons mention sin.

“When such a central doctrine is rarely addressed, believers will likely lack a clear understanding of their condition before God and the redemptive work of Christ. Over time, this absence contributes to confusion about truth, morality, and the nature of salvation,” he said. 

“Ultimately, this glaring omission from the pulpit is leaving believers uninformed and unequipped when it comes to understanding the issue of sin. And we’re clearly seeing that confusion in today’s report.”

Dr Barna noted that sin, while being an uncomfortable topic, is key to coming to faith in Jesus.

“If we no longer see sin, how can we understand our need for a Saviour?” he added

THINK ABOUT IT!

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble,TX

THINK ABOUT IT                  9-11-25
 A DAY TO REMEMBER 

September 11, 2001 started just like any other typical work day for most Americans. In New York City thousands answered the call of the alarm clock, dressed and headed off to work. Some left in a hurry, without even a thought of telling their loved ones “I love you”. Others kissed their children goodbye and headed to work without a thought that this would be the last time they would see them. Without a clue of what was soon to happen, thousands rushed into the World Trade Center, thinking only of an important meeting, a project deadline, or a task that needed to be done– not knowing that they would not leave the building alive. None of them thought about the possibility of a terrorist attact–at least not on that day or in that place. But it happened! Suddenly the eyes of the nation was focused on the World Trade Center. A plane had struck one of the towers. As reporters relayed the news of the “accident”, the unthinkable happened–another plane hit the second tower. All of a sudden we were forced to face the reality that America was being attacked. To say that we were shocked is an understatement. Even as rescurers scrambled to help the survivors, everyone was wondering,”Is there more to come?” People were in a state of shock, confused, and gripped by fear as they watched those two huge symbols of our nations economy come tumbling down. 

That was a day we will never forget. Now years later we observe “Patriot Day” in memory of that terrible tragedy. Today the flags fly at half-staff and at 8:46 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, the time when the first plane hit the north tower, we are to pause for a moment of silence. This is to be a day of prayer and remembrance. It should also be a time for reflection and resolve. The fires have been extinguished, the bodies have been buried, and the rubble has been removed, but we are still at war. We face an enemy that is determined and deadly. Let us not be lulled into a false sense of security. There might not be any bombs exploding, building falling, or bodies lying in the streets, but make no mistake about it, we are at war. We face a ruthless enemy intoxicated by a religion that makes false promises and promotes deceit as a means of destroying all who are not in agreement with them. Do not be fooled by their lies. The same people who say they are just a peace-loving minority will force Sharia law on you if they ever gain control. Their goal is to establish Islamic law over the entire world and  they will do anything to do it. 

Every God-fearing, red-blooded American needs to take a stand. Our enemies have taken advantege of our kindness, used our laws against us, and pretended to be one of us. It’s time that we speak out, without fear or favor of any man, and make the truth known. I’m not talking about foolish insulting remarks that spark needless strife. I’m talking about speaking the truth in love and teaching our children  the facts. We must do what we can while we can to protect the freedom we enjoy and preserve it for our children and grandchildren. 

Since that awful day we have sent troops away from the comfort of their homes, away from their families, into battle- serving as a warning to our enemies. Today I urge you to express thanks to those men and women who made great sacrifices for us. I also want to encourage you to keep your focus on what is most important. Take advantage of the opportunities afforded by this situation, by telling others of Christ. Assure them that God has a plan, a perfect plan, a plan that is personal. He planned for their redemption and provides it for all who trust His dear Son. 9-11 didn’t surprise God, anymore than the fall of man did. He knew both would happen and He is well able to use both to display His grace. He can use the most awful thing imagineable to accomplish the most glorious thing possible. He proved that at Calvary! That’s the message the world needs to hear. So, as you remember the tragedy of 9-11 resolve in your heart to do all you can to make Christ known. He is our only hope for peace.- HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, TX

SO YOU’RE GOING TO QUIT?

So you’ve decided to quit? Let me guess:

“No one appreciates what I do.”

“I was sick and nobody came to see me.”

“I didn’t get the position I wanted.”

“I’m much better qualified than they are.”

“They ignored me.”

“They hurt me.”

“I’m tired.”

The list goes on and on. I’ve heard them all before. I get the picture—you feel hurt and you want people to know it. I’ve been there done that. We all have. But not everybody quits. So why are you? “I just need to be encouraged”, you say. No, it’s more likely that you need to encourage somebody. “But I deserve better”, you say. You really don’t want to go there. If you got what you deserved it would be much worse than it is. What makes you think you deserve a problem free life? Were it not for God’s mercies we would all be consumed.

Listen, it’s time you stopped acting like a baby. You didn’t get your way so you’re going to take your toys and go home. That’s pathetic! Grow up. This is the real world. Stop and take a good look at your own life. The chances are good that you will discover that you’re not so good. You are just as bad or worse than the people you criticize. You complain because they didn’t show you any special attention and you haven’t made a hospital visit in the last ten years. Gimme a break, you quit a long time ago. You just want people to know that you are mad.

“But”, you say, “I don’t have any friends.” Whose fault is that? You won’t like the answer, but you are the one to blame. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly—“(Proverbs 18:24). If you drag around with a sour look on your face, never ministering to others, don’t expect the world to beat a path to your door!

Suppose everything you say is true—you have been horribly mistreated. The fact is that we live in a fallen world and some people are as mean as a junkyard dog. Life isn’t always fair, fun , and easy. People will mistreat you, there’s no doubt about it, but what does that have to do with you quitting? Absolutely nothing. Our duty doesn’t end just because conditions are unfavorable. By the way, stop laying the blame on God by saying, “The Lord is leading me to do it.” In most cases He has nothing to do with it.

Have you ever thought about who else might quit because you do? Your foolish actions could cause your spouse, your children, or your grandchildren to do the same. You will have to answer for that. Your fit of anger, dereliction of duty, and childish behavior can do untold damage. And, that’s not something God is going to wink at.

You got mad and quit—now you’re probably mad at me. You’re mad because I told you the truth, not because I mistreated you. So where will this end? If you quit the church, what else will you quit when things don’t go your way—your marriage? Your job? Where does it end?

I’m not trying to minimize your problems, nor be cruel. My hope is to shock you into reality. Your choice to quit has nothing to do with others. It has everything to do with you. It’s a reflection of your character. You can determine the greatness of a person by what it takes to stop him. If he has a Christ-like character nothing will stop him.

If you want to quit something, quit complaining, quit feeling sorry for yourself, quit blaming others, quit expecting people to treat you like royalty, quit thinking you deserve an easier life than that of Christ. No one has beaten you beyond recognition and nailed you to a cross. You’ve never had to suffer the horror of being banished from the presence of God. There are no nail prints in your  hands, nor wound from a spear in your side. Until you’ve suffered like that, never speak again of quitting.

Now I have just one favor to ask. Please keep a copy of this article and send it to me if I ever speak of deserting my post of Christian duty. There is no stopping place in this life. “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”(2 Timothy 2:3). He never quit on you! -HDS, 8-10-09

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, TX