Jesus tells a parable about a man who gets beaten, robbed and left for dead. James tells us that when experiencing various trials, we are to consider it all joy. The 21st century American Church will need to consider these days joy because we are in the process of getting whipped.

Close to home, a Portland church was getting vilified because homeless men participated in drug activities while receiving meals. The court's judgment (last February) was not only to limit some of the meals available but also the attendance. Sunnyside Centenary United Methodist is no longer allowed to have more than 70 in attendance at any time, though the church can hold up to 400.

The suit was filed against the church because the neighborhood was getting renovated and the residents did not want homeless people walking through their neighborhood, even to receive their only meal of the day. Now the church is in a predicament, and many others churches are waiting for the outcome.

If one judge can rule a limited attendance at a church, what could come next? The Boy Scouts of America have found that out.

After decades of standing for "God and Country" and traditional values, the Boy Scouts have faced a government-mandated diluting of their moral standards. The ACLU won at the New Jersey Supreme Court that the Boy Scouts have to accept homosexuals among its ranks and leaders. Now the case waits on the U.S. Supreme Court.

This ruling is not about tolerance or acceptance. This case is about the U.S. government forcing a homosexual agenda upon naive boys.

One of the last organizations still teaching moral values, violated.

But the church has already been violated, this time from the inside. A Sacramento Methodist minister, backed by 67 other pastors, began marrying gay couples. The government would not recognize these marriages, but the church would.

I don't have to wonder what God was thinking. "Homosexuals, blessed and married in My Name."

Look out for the judgment fire.

But these 67 pastors have been released from any charges within the Methodist Church. This puts the national United Methodist Church at odds with itself. The church could possibly split.

A few days later, the Episcopal Church commission reported that they will take no stand on same-sex unions. The commission suggests to their church leadership to "allow dioceses to find their own way in the matter."

That means those dioceses can interpret the Bible any way they choose to. It also infers that there is no authority in the Episcopal Church -- at least, not the authority of God's Word.

Numerous reports and articles testify to a great beating. God is the only one who can help this church, through revival or His return. Pray for the first. Expect the other.

As for now, get to know what your Bible says. Keep a sound doctrine. Keep building unity. This world is man's earthly inheritance.

We have been promised trials and persecutions. We may get beaten, but let us stand..