Truth for our times: Calm seas, critical decisions forthcoming at the General Assembly | Eastern NC Now

Dear Friends,

 
As North Carolina lawmakers prepare to reconvene in Raleigh, the week ahead may seem calm on the surface. Yet beneath that quiet, crucial decisions are set to be made - decisions that will influence our state's moral and cultural direction for years to come. Even when the pace appears slow, God calls His people to remain alert, anchored in truth, prayer, and faithful engagement.

Lawmakers Will Return to Raleigh Amid Budget Stalemate and Key Veto Overrides
 
The General Assembly returns Monday, October 20th, facing stalled budget talks and crucial votes to override the Governor’s vetoes. At stake are bills that could reshape education, immigration enforcement, and gun rights—measures that carry profound moral implications for our state. These debates remind us to pray fervently for those in authority and to stay engaged as citizens of both heaven and earth.
 
Don’t Privatize Liquor Sales – That Error Would Cost the State Dearly
 
Calls to privatize liquor sales in North Carolina have resurfaced, but such a move would sacrifice public health and moral responsibility for profit. This article explains why the current ABC system protects our communities, families, and values better than private enterprise ever could. As Scripture warns, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
 
When the Seas Are Heaving: Why Christians Must Reengage the Culture
 
Drawing from Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:6, this piece challenges believers to hunger and thirst for righteousness—not merely as private virtue but as public witness. The storms of secularism are fierce, but Christ’s call is clear: take your station, man the lifeboats, and steer this generation toward truth. Revival must lead to reformation, and reformation begins when God’s people reenter the public square with conviction and courage.
 
In every age, the Gospel calls us beyond comfort and into engagement - into praying, speaking, and standing for righteousness where it is most contested. May the Lord find us faithful and steady at the helm, even when the waves rise high.
 
For His glory and our state’s good,
Rev. Mark H. Creech