It is Christmas season — a time of cheer, family get-togethers, lots of food (Chex-mix season!), and Christmas parties. During this season we have all kinds of unusual things that come into our life (like ugly sweaters, strange traditions, Hallmark movies, etc.). One of these unusual things that undoubtedly has come into your life is a Christmas list.
Whether you were asked to make one or if someone gave you a list, you have encountered a Christmas list. As I have gotten older Christmas lists have become less fun as toys, games and baseball cards have all vacated my list and have been replaced by socks, home decorations and grocery gift cards (trying to think practically this year). With Christmas lists being on my mind but becoming more tedious, I thought it would be fun to come up with a Christmas list for the Christian conservative. I have come up with two short lists, one for Iowa politics and the other for churches in Iowa, I hope you enjoy it!
Iowa Politics Christmas List:
- For Personhood legislation to be presented and passed. When the Fetal Heartbeat bill came out last year I was thrilled! After I thought about it for a while though, I came up with one major issue, and that is, “What if this makes the narrative that life begins at heartbeat instead of conception?”
My fear became a reality as Governor Kim Reynolds used the “life at heartbeat” position as she campaigned for the mid-term elections. As a Christian conservative this was devastating!
The Christian’s stance, of course, is that life begins at conception and a Personhood bill is what would comply with this!
Another reason this is at the top of my list is the argument that was made by Martin Cannon in court was, “This bill (heartbeat bill) does not ban one single abortion, not one. It simply requires that all abortions be done early.” As a Christian conservative, it is my desire that we please God by banning all abortions because all life is precious in His sight.
- The second item on my list is one that will probably be the most controversial. I want legislation to punish all cities (and the city officials involved) that would give sanctuary to illegal aliens. Is it not enough that Mollie Tibbetts was murdered? I know some of you are foaming at the mouth with your rabid rhetoric of “Don’t politicize her death!” I assure you I am not trying to politicize her death, rather I am asking our state to not desecrate her grave by willingly allowing another unnecessary murder. Growing up twelve miles north of Marshalltown I have seen first-hand how a city giving sanctuary to illegal aliens can damage the economy, morality and of course bring physical danger to the people of the city.
- The last item on my “Iowa Politics Christmas List” is an apology from Governor Kim Reynolds.
I need to say that I like Kim Reynolds, she seems smart (at times even brilliant), thoughtful, caring and is quick on her feet, but she owes Christian conservatives an apology. Kim Reynolds said this past summer that “same-sex marriage is settled”.The people of Iowa have not had a chance to have their voice be heard on this issue (other than voting out an unprecedented three judges in 2010), and our top official says that the issue is settled? I apologize for pointing out the obvious, but Kim Reynolds needs to start representing the people of Iowa on this issue and that starts with an apology! A short public letter would be great, it would give us confidence that we have a Governor who truly looks out and cares for the values of the people of Iowa.
My Churches in Iowa Christmas List:
- The first and most important (of both lists) on my Christmas list for Iowa churches is that we would care most about the purity of the gospel.
The gospel is: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again on the third day (see 1Corinthians 15:3-4). We also need to couple this with, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
If the main focus of the churches of Iowa is on preaching a pure gospel, the only remedy for our sin, I have no doubt this will bring about a desperately needed revival in our great state! To be frank, even though I am greatly pro-life, I am even more pro-eternal life. After all, what is the point in saving the physical lives of children if we willingly let them walk to Hell?
- The second item on my list is that Iowa pastors would find their voice. We have a mass genocide going on in our nation and our state at the murder mills of Planned Parenthood, and I see plenty of funny memes, lots of sports talk and even good encouraging notes on many pastor’s social media pages, but I rarely see righteous indignation and burning compassion toward the greatest sin that ills our land!
For Christmas this year I want Christian conservative pastors in Iowa to find their voice and speak out against abortion and for the innocent children who need someone to fight for them!
- The final thing I want for Christmas this year is for the churches in Iowa to commit to prayer. We are living in a turbulent time and we desperately need prayer! I truly believe that prayer without action is pointless, so please don’t think I am asking for Christians to sit on the sideline. Rather, I am asking that we all commit to prayer, seeking God’s will to be established on earth and not ours in heaven.
If there was ever a time we needed wisdom, if there was ever a time we needed the hand of God to move, if there was ever a time we needed to humble ourselves and pray, it is now! What a wonderful Christmas gift it would be if the Churches of Iowa all got down on their knees and prayed desperately for God to move in 2019!
I hope you have enjoyed my Christmas list this year! Now all I have to do is wait and see what presents are going to under the Christmas tree!
Author: Sam Jones
Pastor Sam Jones currently serves as Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Humboldt, IA. He married the love of his life Sarah in 2013; they have two sons Thomas and Henry. He is most known for his teachings on the 4 spheres of delegated government and being a voice for the pre-born. In addition to his Pastoring schedule, Pastor Sam is an avid podcaster and has been known to dabble in radio as well. His political commentary has appeared in dozens of news outlets across the country including: The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and The Iowa Standard. Pastor Sam is the author of 5 Steps to Kill a Nation. He is also a co-author of Social Injustice, Church and State, and Enemies Within the Church Bible Study.
I love this website. Great to understand what is going on in Iowa.