PARKS BROWN

Compromise is coming home to roost. Not a day goes by without a new revelation where corruption and compromise are revealed. Individuals and institutions are being exposed for where their faith and loyalty really lie. The destructive qualities of compromise are the global headlines.

Financial compromise from Japan to the EU has currency default top of the agenda in 2027. Border and safety compromise results in property destruction across Europe. Compromise of the Truth revealed in God’s Word is tearing down the church and state on several continents.

Compromise involves reaching a mutual concession and agreement. Compromised means being made vulnerable by unauthorized access, revelation or exposure. We are witnessing the result of people and institutions being compromised by greed, lust, coveting, sexual immorality and idolatry. This compromise of Biblical proportion is weakening and tearing down society and culture domestically and abroad. Pay attention. You can’t miss it.

Don’t sleep through the judicial coup d’Etat in Poland over this weekend. For any American who thinks our country is in a crisis, Poland is what the end of democracy might really look like. Occupying and attacking the courts and the constitution of a sovereign nation while the President is out of the country is real tyranny. Poland is where a ‘No Kings’ protest is appropriate.

France was compromised decades ago and it’s still burning. Germany and Italy are on the brink of being destabilized and Switzerland is close behind. England is the poster child for what compromise delivers to a nation the size of Alabama. If you are passively watching these results of compromise, wake up to what is previewing in theaters north of the Mason-Dixon.

The chaos we see is the result of compromising our faith and beliefs in the whole Gospel. The result of compromising the truth that our freedoms come from God, not the state and we are created man and woman in God’s image isn’t just one Supreme Court judge. Freedoms of all kind are in the crosshairs. Christians are in the crosshairs.

The Bible says followers of Jesus are literally ambassadors for His heavenly Kingdom. ‘Living letters’ from God himself. We are responsible for knowing, maintaining and living out His commands without compromise. The Bible says, don’t be compromised. ‘Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ Study of the Word and fellowship with like minded believers is where this transformation takes place.

Seek out corporate worship at a church that teaches the truth about Jesus’ virgin birth and resurrection from the dead. Avoid the compromisers who teach lies about non-binary deities and multiple paths to heaven. Be careful not to fall in with the unwise and compromised. The days are not only crazy, they are evil.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17. I believe we are most compromised when we don’t know, forget or ignore His will and His ways. The days are evil and can easily sway our thoughts and feelings. When we follow our own opinion, vote simply based on color and judge based on socioeconomic status is when we can miss HIS will.

We need to constantly stay in the Word to be reminded what God says about compromising with…..materialism, immorality, idolatry, hatred. Being a friend of the world makes us an enemy of God. Redistributing wealth and reparations are based in coveting. Identity politics is disdain or hatred of someone because of their sex or skin color. The Bible is a reminder that many current agendas are a blatant compromise of how God says to live.

Compromise is like pornography. It’s tough to define but you know it when you see it. The American Academy of Pediatrics confirms that Children’s Hospital Colorado has injected ‘more than 18,000 pediatric patients with vaccines under deep sedation or general anesthetic’, raising questions about informed consent…or the compromise of ethical behavior. The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams raising the question of what is in the best interest of player health and safety…or a compromise to generate more money. Eighteen percent of freshmen at the University of California are flunking introductory math classes as High School preparation and standardized testing appears compromised.

It’s not just health care, athletics and academia that is compromised. The Church of England reports almost 90% of dioceses run deficits as they employ 80% more staff to serve less congregants than 20 years ago. This church compromises the Gospel to make slave reparations and Net Zero emissions a primary focus. An American bank openly admits they laundered money, broke the law and paid more than a billion dollars in fines…but accountability is compromised and no one goes to jail. The SEC allows hundreds of billions of dollars in unsettled trades on Wall Street. The integrity and stability of stock ownership and the entire financial system has been compromised…and continues each day.

This week our nation focuses on mid-term elections and the candidates and parties running for office. Many politicians are compromised to a color and a party, but not always. This weekend a sitting Democratic Representative flipped to support a Republican running for the Senate in Michigan. While her party leaders call it a ‘despicable betrayal’ it smells more like a refusal to compromise her beliefs. The 17th Century theologian Thomas Fuller reminds us despite all these examples of being compromised, there is hope….It’s always darkest before the dawn.

In these times where families, friendships, political parties and churches are separating and compromising, the Bible encourages us. The Bible reminds us our faith and fellowship is never to be compromised. Don’t be yoked with unbelievers, don’t be partners with those who compromise what the Bible teaches. ‘…what fellowship can light have with darkness…what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever..?’ This tough Truth is a reminder we have a choice to compromise…or not.

When you see God’s Word compromised, don’t vote for it and don’t stay home…vote against it! Have nothing to do with those who are compromised. Expose them for the sham they are. This is exactly what the Bible says will happen coming down the home stretch. AND God says how to deal with them. ‘People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive…ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving….Have nothing to do with such people.’ Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and tell me if some of what you see in the headlines doesn’t reek of compromise.

It’s easy to see others who are compromised and where compromise is tearing down our society and culture. It’s not as easy to see in yourself. So, MY focus is in the mirror. I must stay in the Word and on my knees. I must stay in fellowship with others who know what God’s word commands and choose not to compromise despite the pressure from people or parties. I need others who will call out where they see me compromise and be iron in my life. We ALL do.

God does not compromise His children. He is merciful and gracious and offers a reward for our lack of compromise. He commands us to come out from unbelievers and be separate, leave the corruption and compromise behind. And…..

“‘And, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'”

The home stretch. The words bring to mind the final part of a journey, a race, or the last stage of a difficult activity. The home stretch is where effort and preparation meet. Going down the home stretch reveals character, discipline and intentionality…or not. The home stretch is not casual or passive. Look around the world in 2026, look in the mirror. We’re all heading down the home stretch.

The phrase ‘home stretch’ originated in horse racing where the horse makes the final turn and can see the finish line. Major league baseball teams are in the home stretch of their season to crown a champion. Students are in the home stretch of this semester. Politicians are eyeing the mid term elections and making final appeals to the voters. It looks like France is in the home stretch of civil society. The world is watching as French people, architecture and ideas burn to the ground. As a nation, France is going down the home stretch in a journey that started long ago.

You can easily make a case the world is in the home stretch. Jews, Muslims and Christians alike believe we are living in the home stretch before their Savior or last Imam takes center stage. Many nations and forms of government look like they are heading to a finish line. Republics and democratic nations are under attack. Is this the home stretch for democracy?

The largest city in America is now governed by the same belief system that attacked and tried to destroy her 25 years ago. To many, it looks like we’ve turned the last corner and the finish line is in sight. Aside from politics, look in the mirror and read the Bible to be reminded what the home stretch looks like.

The home stretch is where every ONE and every THING is tested and revealed for what they are made of. Football players hold up 4 fingers to remind each other 3/4ths of the competition is completed. The world wants you to believe the home stretch is called retirement. Retirement is more like a 7th inning stretch where you briefly stand up only to sit back down, get comfortable and be a spectator. The Bible teaches the home stretch is a time to stay focused on the finish line, not to quit.

The Bible is a guide and reminder for the home stretch. Horses only race a few years. Athletes compete in limited careers. Empires rise and fall. Look around at the scoreboard, the clock, the obstacles facing you AND the world in this home stretch….and have hope.

Don’t get discouraged, be quiet or sit down and put your feet up to rest. The Bible reminds us, ‘…we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.’ ……Run hard in the home stretch, but run smart, be wise. Learn what God teaches us in His Word.

Recognized as the most wealthy and wise man to have ever lived, Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes down the home stretch of his life. From a worldly perspective Solomon was successful beyond all imagination. Many would say Solomon is the role model because he lived for and obtained great knowledge, wealth, power and fame. Ecclesiastes is the opus of his most successful life and career. But it reads differently than you might think.

Read Ecclesiastes and you’ll hear bitterness and disappointment from a disillusioned man as he reflected going down the home stretch. Right before he crossed the finish line Solomon summed it up… “..The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to it’s hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil.” Solomon learned everything in life apart from God is meaningless.

I have made the last turn in my life and I’m heading down the home stretch. I look around at the field and see those ahead of me, beside me and remember those in my past. I have tried to learn from those who have been and are in the home stretch with me. Everyone seems to be running their race in different ways towards different conclusions. I have decided, the finish line in my life is an ambition. A great ambition not defined by wealth or accomplishments but revealed to me in the Bible.

Another historical figure in the Bible speaks loudly to me. Peter was a man after my own heart. Peter lived passionately with zeal and fervor for God, succeeding one minute and failing miserably the next. Regretfully, I can relate. In the home stretch of Peter’s life he wrote about the finish line. “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ ” That sounds like the finish line God desires for me.

For my home stretch I’ll focus on holiness. To keep such a bold finish line attainable, I’ll focus on becoming holy by trying to control my words and my mouth. Words can align me with God or throw me off course. My speech can help me stay focused down the home stretch. So far, the results are mixed but the race is marked out for me.

I want to encourage, not discourage. I want to build up not tear down. This doesn’t mean being nice, non-confrontational, weak or quiet when truth is given a back seat to evil, dishonesty and deceptive lies. Will I win this race? Time will tell and I’m sure others will judge me. But I WILL cross the finish line where the final judge is waiting.

Holiness is my great ambition and better use of my words is the mark set before me. I am promised a helper in this home stretch. My help will come from family and friends, strangers, Christ followers and agnostics, Democrats and Republicans, all nationalities and races, old friends and hopefully new friends as well….and the Holy Spirit.

Remembering that ‘God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing..’,…..I encourage YOU in your home stretch. Let’s cross the finish line not listening for applause or accolades in a lengthy obituary, but a still quiet voice saying… ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’

What does your home stretch look like? I’d love to know.

Time has an erosive quality causing many things to be left behind and forgotten. This erosion is an enemy that takes away what was and steals and destroys what isn’t purposefully secured. Over the span of a lifetime much is forsaken and abandoned in our past. Making a conscious decision, a choice of who and what to hold onto and what will be swept away with time is critical to life, happiness and contentment…here and in eternity.

Our pace of living is a major culprit in what we forsake and abandon from day to day. The speed and number of times you read this blog determine what you retain or leave behind. The lack of pausing, assimilating and meditating on what you think and hear each day contribute to what you forget and abandon. In 2026, abandonment is epidemic at home and abroad.

Some have abandoned biology and defining a woman in exchange for political gain. Others forsake common sense and allow men to compete against women in sport. Citizens across the pond forget the history of Nazi Germany to impose capital restrictions as their leaders prohibit them from having bank accounts outside defined borders. Others talk about the use of tactical nuclear weapons as safe ways to resolve regional conflict, forsaking alliances that draw others into the fray.

At home, Moms and Dads abandon parenting for jobs that offer advancement and greater provision. Discipline is abandoned to make children ‘happy’ with better self-esteem. Churches leave behind the full gospel and words in red that command how to live, define who God is and how we were created. The parts in scripture many churches forsake remind us we serve a God of love and mercy…but also a God of wrath. These words tell us not to forget or forsake the God of Creation.

We can leave behind what we love the MOST if we aren’t reminded.

If you look and listen, domestic and foreign political alliances are being forsaken and left behind. Domestic relationships are effectively abandoned as love grows cold between colleagues, friends and families. Leaving the past behind is spreading, gaining speed and traction. The Bible spells out the extent of what has been abandoned, what is forgotten and…what is about to be forsaken.

The Bible says it simply, IF we slow our pace to read and listen. God says NO one is exempt from abandoning what is important to them. In the last book in the Bible, God identifies HIS followers, the universal ‘catholic’ church, Protestants, Roman Catholics, you name it. In fact, when He gets ready to judge us all the FIRST group He speaks to is those who work hard, have good deeds and are diligent, productive and persevere for Him. In Revelation 2:2-5. “‘…You have forsaken your first love…repent and do the things you did at first…He who has an ear, let him hear.'”

When Jesus walked the earth He gave the cure for the pandemic we face in 2026. Don’t let this go in one ear and out the other. Don’t quickly pass this off, forget it and abandon it like common sense. Meditate and ruminate on……LOVE…..Whole hearted love. Love with ALL of your soul, strength, mind and body. Loving deeply, not casually. In modern parlance, holistic love.

Odds HIGHLY favor, we/you/me have forgotten what real love is AND can do. Jesus taught love was SO essential to human life that it was a command from our Creator. Not a suggestion or a good idea, a COMMAND; in fact,the greatest command. Meditate on that for 60 seconds if you can. When your boss, the Regional Manager or CEO commands something, your choice is do it or…suffer the consequences.

I won’t belabor the point because most of us are ready to pick up the pace and finish this blog. The erosive aspect of time and the ‘enemy’ are shouting in your ear right now, “I get it, I get it, I get, move on!!”

BUT…Jesus said God gave us COMMANDS… “‘The most important one is this…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'”

Lets face it, top of the love list is usually…me. My spouse, my kids, my family, my job, ambitions, my legacy, my ministry. Something that starts with me or mine, not God…or you, my neighbor, my brother.

Put the oxygen mask on first if you want to save others, right? Not according to the Bible. Gotta loose your life to find it. No greater love than giving of your own life for others. Peter even says ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.’ The kind of love that is selfless, sacrificial, patient, unconditional. Read 1st Corinthians 13:5-9 AGAIN to be reminded what kinda love we’re talking about.

Next time you tell anyone you love them, ask yourself what kind of love you meant. Don’t forget to do this.

The Bible teaches repeatedly, God IS love. He so loved the world that He gave of Himself, His SON. At a time the world is encouraging us to ‘accept’ each other and all kind of other things, let’s not abandon the TRUTH and command to love and not forsake HIM, our Father…and our neighbor.

This IS God’s plan. Christ followers carry this message and power of Jesus in our common, vulnerable, broken and forgetful bodies.

Forsaking and leaving things behind is a given. Take the time each day to choose what you want to abandon and what you want to keep. Live with purpose and love.

Labor Day means something different to everyone. To some, it marks the end of summer. To others, it’s just a day off from work. In the late 1800’s President Grover Cleveland officially signed into law making the first Monday in September the day to ‘recognize and honor the achievements of workers.’ Labor Day has always been about the number of hours you spend working and the pace of your life. Labor Day is the opportunity to remember and adjust your struggle to balance work and a personal life.

In the 1800’s many Americans worked 70 plus hours a week and the length of the workweek became a political issue. From the 1850’s to about 1890, the average work week was 60-70 hours. The time was spent in manual labor not sitting at a desk on a telephone or on a computer. Whether you are a blue or white collar worker today, the amount of time you devote to work and the pace of your work are still the primary focus.

In July of this year, professional golf was upended by a 39 year old Kiwi winning the oldest golf tournament in the world, The Open. Ryan Fox was labeled the ‘fastest golfer in the world’ as his pace of play made the headlines amidst a bevy of younger players who are taking longer to complete a round of golf than ever. It wasn’t that Fox was rushing, he just didn’t waste time. How we manage our time is a witness to the world, even the staid world of the PGA.

Today people are spending more leisure time than ever and less time working. This is not leading to a healthier more robust populace, but just the opposite. The pace of our activities is more harried. We are cramming in more, trying to accomplish more tasks in the same time and have become more stressed. Hurry is a sickness. I know because I suffer with the disease.

The physical demands and exertion that led to Labor Day are a reminder to monitor your pace of play. White collar labor can deceive you into forgetting the pace is what is most important. Less physical labor or exercise results in higher stress, less sleep and higher incidences of stroke and heart disease. The further we get away from physical labor the more we view it as an activity or merely an expense on a ledger, a dollar cost.

Parents are training their children to live a faster pace of play by allowing them to participate in travel ball and cheer teams. The school system is giving more busy work they call homework. Churches get in on the hustle by offering more activities and service times. The faster we run, the more we get away from the natural pace of God and His creation.

God walks, He doesn’t run. During my busiest seasons I start the day praying and God reminds me that I have enough time to accomplish all HE has for me that day. The prophet Micah wrote, ‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ My job, my selfish desires and my ‘to-do’ list may want me to run and get more done, but my God wants me to walk thru the day.

When I rush from one place or task to another, I don’t listen and hear as well…you don’t either. The Bible is FULL of reminders that our Creator speaks in a still quiet voice. Our pace will dictate our ability to listen. He doesn’t yell or bark reminders about our pace in life or the need to slow down to hear Him better. He often speaks to our pace in life through our health. Sickness, chronic health issues and suffering can speak when our pace drowns out His quiet whisper.

In Genesis we are told that Enoch walked with God…Noah walked with God. The Proverbs tell us we gain wisdom and understanding by walking, not accomplishing more. John says if we walk in the light…we have fellowship with one another. The Bible speaks to a slower pace of play that brings us closer to God…and each other.

To make this practical, the speed most people walk at is 3 miles per hour. CDC guidelines define moderate-intensity physical activity as 3 mph. Numerous studies have shown the pace of your gait, the speed you walk is possibly the best vital sign for higher cardiovascular health. Better than age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, chronic conditions or smoking history. The Bible makes this clear and science confirms it. Slow down your pace of play to live longer and have better health.

A slower pace of play allows us to hear God better, delivers better physical health and deepens all personal relationships. Possibly most important, our pace of play in life is a huge witness to everyone. Our pace of play speaks to what we think is important, to who we love and to what we value.

This Labor Day, let the holiday seep into your heart and change your pace of play. It will increase the quality of your life, bring you closer to God and be a witness to your friends and family. The future depends on it.

The gravity of events in everyday life is a reminder of the individual responsibilities and duties we share. Our families, society and culture evolve or devolve based on what current and previous generations have and have not done with what they have been given. Whether WE do greater or lesser things depends on if we act with a sense of duty and responsibility…or privilege.

Duty is defined as a responsibility to do what is right or required. The concept of a moral obligation can and should shape our behavior and conscience. Actions result when we believe our responsibilities outweigh risk, reward or even our ability to successfully accomplish the task at hand. Too often, duty and responsibilities are seen as a privilege. When this happens, people become tribal, put themselves before everyone else and don’t accomplish greater things.

Christians were PROMISED they would do greater things than Christ did Himself. Jesus said, “‘Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.'” It begs the question to everyone who calls themselves a Christian… ‘What are the GREATER things YOU are doing?!’

We know we are doing greater things when others are blessed (benefited) by us and what we do. We know this because ‘without a doubt the lesser is always blessed by the greater.’ Hebrews 7:7. Greater things are always blessings to others. Am I, are you, blessing others or promoting our own agenda? Do we think others will be blessed if we are blessed first? The trickle down blessing theory does not preempt sacrificial acts of blessing others first.

Do you want to bless others and do greater things? Do you believe you can? What is keeping us from doing greater things than Christ himself? Does your work or raising a family get in the way? Jesus addressed that head on. “‘Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow…'” In other words, “I’ve got that covered.”

Life isn’t Mission Impossible. Christians are not IMF members but we do have a choice of accepting the mission we have been given. We also have the ability to do greater things. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God’s Spirit and power gives us the ability. ‘Now to HIM who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us…’

Do we even know what greater things are? Do we ask the Holy Spirit?? Do we deny the power we’re given by seeing it as a privilege and not a duty?? Or, do we just not believe these particular words of Jesus?

Belief can accomplish greater things. Unbelief can keep them from happening. Too many people in 2026 don’t believe anything can be done to…change a family members depression, addiction or anger and hostility…save the decline of civility in our communities…alter the current devolution of our American culture and Christian heritage…the list is looong because we are apathetic AND don’t believe the Truth in the Bible.

Most everyone can see, feel, recognize and acknowledge the evil so prevalent across the spectrum of our institutions…and individual hearts. I don’t know the exact time but I do know regardless of the age or my age, Peter was right. ‘The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.’ He was saying be aware, don’t ignore what’s happening. And…DO what was possibly the greatest thing Christ himself did…PRAY.

I believe whether we do greater things than Jesus stems from our faith and belief. We hear what’s happening in Dallas, Dearborn, New York City, Little Rock. The changes in America and the world are brought to our eyes and ears through technology and communication. Fake news is a tool of the evil one. Apathy about what happens outside your bank account or your neighborhood is straight from hell as well. Instead of being apathetic or not believing we can effect change, we forget it’s not about OUR ability. It’s about HIS ability to do great things.

Do you WANT to do greater things? Do you have a duty and responsibility to do greater things? Do you BELIEVE you can do greater things? When Jesus walked the earth ‘He was amazed at their unbelief.’ He spoke bluntly to those who would listen… “‘You unbelieving generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you?'”

Jesus promised whoever believed in Him WOULD do greater things. He also said those greater things had NO limits. “‘Everything is possible for the one who believes.'”

For Christians, greater things are our duty. To learn what these greater things are for you, ask the Holy Spirit. Pray.

Pray for greater things.