Tracy Talk

NEW John Tracy Podcast!

To subscribe to John's podcast, please click the link on the right side of this page.

Preached on August 8, 2010 at Hillsdale Baptist Church in Tampa, FL

I Did It My Way:  King Saul

1 Samuel 15

The First Amendment of the Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” The two parts of that statement, formally known as the “establishment clause” and the “free exercise clause”, provide the foundation for the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the “separation of church and state” doctrine.  The First Amendment, as it reads, is in line with the teaching of Scripture.  God has ordained the government of the church as well as civil government.  Each has a distinct sphere of operation.  The purpose of civil government is stated in Romans 13:1-7.  The purpose of the church is declared in Matthew 28:19-20.  As stated in the First Amendment, I do not believe that the government should control the church.  Neither do I believe that the church should be in power over the affairs of civil government.

Unfortunately, the First Amendment is often interpreted in a way that attempts to drive religious principles and morals out of government and even to limit the role of religious individuals, particularly pastors, from being involved in civil government and community service.  I believe that every individual American has a responsibility to seek to have as great of an influence in society as possible for the good of the nation.  A church employee (i.e. a pastor, priest, rabbi, mullah, etc.) should be no less engaged in current affairs and community service individually than a person representing any other profession.  What should not take place is for a particular church or denomination to be placed in a position of power in government.  In other words, I do not believe in a theocracy, where a particular religion is required for all citizens.  That is an entirely different matter from that of an individual Christian (regardless of profession) who serves in a political office, and is the exact concern of the First Amendment.

I believe in religious freedom.  Religious belief is a personal matter of the heart.  What you and I believe will certainly influence our decisions, or morals, our judgment, and our behavior, all of which will bear specific consequences.  You cannot separate one’s beliefs (religious or other) from their actions.  The one will inevitably influence the other.  It is for this reason that I believe that people with character and Christian beliefs and values are exactly the kind of people that are needed to lead our nation.  They are the ones who founded our nation.  Almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as most every Founding Father graduated from orthodox Christian teaching seminaries and were pastors, church elders, and church officers.  Here is a sample:

Samuel Adams: Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Father of the Revolution, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Hancock: First signer of the Declaration of Independence, Acting President of the United Sates, Started the “Minutemen,” commissioned George Washington as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Governor of Massachusetts, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Quincy Adams: Sixth President of the United States, Vice-President of the American Bible Society, Vice-President of the Massachusetts Bible Society, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Robert Treat Paine: Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Military Chaplain, Helped write the Massachusetts Constitution, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Rufus King: Signer of the Constitution, Selected as manager of the American Bible Society, Signer of the Constitution, Ratifier of the Bill of Rights, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Bushrod Washington: U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Vice-President of the American Bible Society, Vice-President of the American Sunday School Union, Attended William and Mary (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Lowell: Revolutionary Officer, Member of the Continental Congress, Member of the Society for the propagating of the Gospel among the Indians and others, Authored Article I in the Massachusetts Constitution of 1779 and insisted that it be adopted into the Bill of Rights—“All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties…”, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Jonathan Trumbull: Governor of Connecticut, Ordained Pastor, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Timothy Pickering: Revolutionary General, Secretary of State, His ideas formed the Northwest Ordinance, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

William Samuel Johnson: Signer of the Constitution, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Zephaniah Swift: Author of America’s first legal text, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

James Bowdoin: Governor of Massachusetts, Member of the Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the Indians and Others, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

James Kent: Father of American Jurisprudence, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Joel Barlow: Diplomat under Washington and Adams, Chaplain in the American Revolution for three years, Did not become liberal until 1794, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Cotton Smith: Governor of Connecticut, U.S. Congressman, Puritan Minister, President of the Litchfield County Foreign Missionary Society, First President of the Connecticut Bible Society, President of the American Bible Society, President of the American Board of Foreign Missions, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Treadwell: Governor of Connecticut, Member of Continental Congress, Member of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

These men, and others, are the same ones who declared that all Americans are free to practice religion in whatever way that we deem best.  Our country was founded by religious men, but they recognized that government cannot require religion or disallow it, it can only protect religious freedom.  Who better to do that, than those who are religious?

In Romans 13:1-3 the Bible also uses similar terms to make it clear that a Christian individual seeking to be an influence in politics is not the same as a denomination or group of churches running the government.  Thus, I do believe in the separation of church and state as originally presented in the First Amendment of the Constitution.  I do not believe that statement to in any way be in conflict with my personal desire to serve my community and country in the realm of politics.  My beliefs and values certainly shape the decisions that I make, and have led me to my current role of a minister.  Those values and beliefs have also driven me to step out and lead in the arena of politics.  Again, I believe strongly that religious people with character and integrity should not be excluded from political leadership, but I do not believe that religion should be regulated by the government whether it is done so in a positive sense by requiring a particular system of belief, or done in a negative sense by denying religious freedoms.  Both are an infringement upon Constitutional rights.  I will not seek to use any political platform to regulate religious belief and practice.  At the same time, I will stand up for religious freedom and the individual’s right to make whatever religious choice that he deems best, so long as it does not hinder another’s equal rights and freedoms.

Dear Friend,
I am very excited to announce the inaugural meeting of the Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County! This Thursday, May 28, 2009, will mark the day that “we the people” of Pasco join forces and pledge to stand up for our Faith and Family Values. The club will be a place for camaraderie, education, communication, and inspiration! Together we can stand against the attacks on our moral values and get actively involved in what is happening in our County.

Will you make this Thursday night’s meeting a priority? We want you there! Bring your voice and your opinions, but most of all bring your commitment to Faith and Family!

We are privileged to have, as our first keynote speaker, Mr. Randy Maggard, the current Chairman of the Republican Executive Committee (http://www.PascoGOP.org). Mr. Maggard is an outstanding leader in the county, a dedicated Christian, a family man, and has a long history of support for family values.

The club meeting will also feature an open forum discussion and specific ways that you can make a difference!

If Faith and Family are two words that you are passionate about, we want you at the inaugural meeting and we need you to join the club!

The meeting location is: Temple Baptist Church, 37253 Clinton Ave., Dade City, FL 33525.

For more information, please visit http://www.PascoFFV.org. I look forward to seeing you Thursday. Thank you.

For America,
John Tracy

__________________
John Tracy
Faith and Family Values
Republican Club of Pasco County

Web: www.PascoFFV.org
Email: FaithAndFamilyValues@PascoFFV.org
Phone: 813-310-5699
__________________________________

President – John Tracy
Vice President – Carlos Saenz
Secretary – Jessica Larreau
Treasurer – Jonathan Barnes

Copyright 2009. Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County. Paid for by the Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County, not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County is an Officially Chartered Club by RPOF-The Republican Party of Florida. This e-mail may contain confidential or privileged information. If you think you have received this e-mail in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail and then delete this e-mail immediately. Thank you.

God has given me the great privilege of serving as the Music and College Pastor of Hillsdale Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida.  It is truly an honor to serve our Lord in the ministry.  Hillsdale is an incredible church with many unique ministry opportunities and outreach programs.  We would love for you to join us on your computer for a service or a Bible study via our live internet video broadcast.  I lead the music in each of the Sunday services. Return to this page during any of the broadcast times listed below to view the live feed.

The regular broadcast schedule is as follows:

SUNDAY – 10:30AM – Morning Worship Service; 6:00PM – Evening Family Service
TUESDAY – 6:30AM – Men’s Genesis Bible Study
WEDNESDAY – 6:45PM – Lifesteps Classes (Practical Life Application Classes)

Pastors win Challenge to Political Involvement
IRS rules voter education on moral issues, registration permissible

by Drew Zahn
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

In a decision that holds ramifications for churches around the country, the Internal Revenue Service found that a non-profit organization that gathered pastors to a series of public…

CLICK HERE for full article.

Please follow the link below to participate in an MSNBC survey about whether or not our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust” should be removed from United States currency.

Let your voice be heard and tell others to do the same!

Click Here:  MSNBC SURVEY

Citizens Supporting the Current Zoning of the NW Corner of Ehrlich Road and Bellamy Road and the Preservation of Wetlands in Citrus Park

Hillsdale Baptist Church is made up of a local community of citizens, many of who live and work in the Citrus Park area.  Recently an announcement was posted that a neighboring property will be rezoned to accommodate the construction of a new RaceTrac Convenience Store and Gas Pumps.

At Hillsdale, we are fully in support of the growth and development of local businesses.  We do all that we can to invest in the well being of our county.  However, we are concerned that the addition of a Convenience Store and Gas Pumps on the corner of Ehrlich Road and Bellamy Road would have detrimental consequences in our area.

Because of this, we support the existing zoning of the Northwest corner of Ehrlich Road and Bellamy Road and the preservation of the wetlands in Citrus Park.

Here is a summary of the negative impact that rezoning to accommodate a RaceTrac Convenience Store and Gas Pumps would have on our community:

1.    The addition of a RaceTrac Convenience Store and Gas Pumps would further harm the beautiful wetlands and protected environment of Citrus Park.  The quiet ambiance that we currently enjoy would be replaced by pollution and noise.
2.    The driveway cut on Bellamy Road would be too close to the intersection, not allowing adequate stacking of Northbound Bellamy traffic when making a left turn into site.
3.    Since Bellamy Road is the only access into several developments, representing hundreds of homes, any commercial driveway to the site from Bellamy would not be safe or practical.
4.    The driveway cut on Ehrlich Road would be too close to the intersection, representing a traffic hazard to accelerating Westbound traffic from the light for right hand turns into the site.
5.    There are currently no provisions for a security/privacy wall along the Western property line between Hillsdale Baptist Church and the proposed RaceTrac Convenience Store and Gas Pumps.  If plans proceed, we would like to see a six-foot masonry wall run the entire length of the Western property line.
6.    An application for a Beer and Wine License is likely for RaceTrac Convenience Store and Gas Pumps.  This would put alcohol sales adjacent to Hillsdale Baptist Church, Preschool and Academy. Current regulations state that alcohol sales must be 500 feet away from the property line, not the building, of a church or a school.  The proposed site shows a 20-foot set back from the church property line.  A convenience store, like RaceTrac, will likely fail without alcohol sales.  See the Southeast corner of Ehrlich Road and West Village Road as proof of where a previous convenience store with gas station and car wash failed and was sold to Regions Bank.  Their failure is attributed to having no alcohol license due to the proximity of Ben Hill Middle School.
7.    The atmosphere of a RaceTrac Convenience Store and Gas Pumps is not in keeping with the residential character of the neighborhood.
8.    There is no need for additional fuel delivery in the neighborhood.  Stations in our area are closing due to the economy, not opening.
9.    The exit off of Northbound Veterans Expressway is poorly designed.  Because of this, many tickets are cited when traffic, merging Eastbound onto Ehrlich Road, does not come to a full stop. There is often a Highway Patrol or Sheriff waiting on the East side of the retention pond.  Eastbound traffic going into RaceTrac Convenience Store and Gas Pumps will likely have to perform a u-turn. Additional accidents are probable. Eastbound traffic turning onto Bellamy Road already does not have enough room in the turning lane, which clogs the traffic flow.

Again, at Hillsdale Baptist church, we are not against the success and growth of local business in Citrus Park.  A progressive, flourishing community is good for our own growth.  However, we do fervently support the safeguarding of our protected wetlands and the wildlife that accompanies them, as well as the quiet ambiance and residential character of our community.  For these reasons, we support maintaining the current zoning regulations of the previously discussed intersection.

We would greatly appreciate the additional support of all concerned citizens who have an interest in the well being of the Citrus Park community.  A public hearing is scheduled for January 20 at 6:00pm and is open to any interested party.

For further questions or comments, please contact John Tracy, Hillsdale Baptist Church Pastoral Staff Member, at 813-884-8250.

There is also a Facebook Group Created for Citizens to join and show their support of keeping the current zoning.  More information can be read there.  You can visit the Facebook page by clicking HERE.