Friday, March 17, 2017

Remnant Roars in Rockford

Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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Remnant Roars in Rockford

          Only a few missed the irony of the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce holding its 102nd Annual Dinner in Rockford on March 16, 2017.

          If I have to explain that to you, you wouldn’t understand anyway.

          Actually, the Radisson did a great job in hosting with a warm and welcoming staff, clean restrooms, and decent meal that were complemented by a hired gun aka speaker who meant well.

          Anyone who’s been reading www.koppdisclosure.com or listening to worship broadcasts via www.bnnsradio.com or showing up in the pews to honor God on Sundays knows I’ve been bantering and moaning about fainthearted mainline denominationalists, pulpiteers, politicians, jurists, educators, editorialists, entertainers, marketers, and other “public” servants who can’t bring themselves to mention Jesus…publicly.

          They forget His corporate warning from Genesis through Revelation for nations, churches, marriages, families, and all of the below: “Return to Me and I will restore you.  If not, not.”

          Jesus was direct and compelling in his personal guarantee with a caution: “If you acknowledge Me, I will acknowledge you.  If not, not.”

          In a glorious example of bravehearted confidence in Jesus as Lord and Savior fueling courage to acknowledge Him and maybe save the republic, Dr. Daniel Woestmann, Superintendent of School District 100, and my favorite mayor of all time, Fred Brereton, prayed and prophesied to the you-could-hear-a-pin-drop packed room.

          Unlike most clergy and other politicians who are so afraid of offending people who insult God’s holiness and forget who birthed America with all of our blessings, Dr. Woestmann ended the invocation “in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

          After receiving the “Distinguished Citizen Award” which recognizes uncommon service to the community and county, Fred said, “As I was trying to figure out how to begin…, I was reminded of the lesson taught by Maria in The Sound of Music, ‘Let’s start at the beginning, a very good place to start.’”

          Then he extolled his parents who kept their baptismal promises: “I was raised with Jesus…by Jack and Shirley Brereton.”

          That’s when the chatty crowd really hushed up…for good.

          After briefly chronicling what he learned in business and as the longest-serving mayor in Belvidere history, he said, “Then God had a new purpose for my life.”

          That’s when the assembly really, really, really riveted to every one of his words.

          “Jesus said,” he continued, “’Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’  And so I will spend the remainder of my life doing my best to respond to the will of God…And so tonight, I humbly accept this recognition, returning all of the honor and all of the glory to our Father who is in heaven.”

          After an obviously nervous introspection of less than two seconds that seemed like an hour, the faithful cheered with “Amen’s!” and the clueless were, uh, and, uh, remain clueless.

          When Fred trusted my confidence and prayed with me about his future about half way through his last term, I said, “Fred, I am convinced you will do more to honor Jesus and help people than you’ve ever done as mayor even though you are the most loved and respected mayor in Belvidere and Boone County’s history.”

          Fred keeps confirming that discernment.

          There’s a simmering debate in Belvidere and Boone County.

          Do we really want to be more like Rockford or Chicago or Beloit or…?

          Dan and Fred answered that question for everyone everywhere.

          We want to be more like Jesus.

          He’s the only One who can save us.

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Blessings and Love!

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Salt! Shine! Leavenate!
Look up! Stand up! Speak up! Act up for Jesus!

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