It is getting rare these days to find someone who actually was born here

in the South, and in Fayette County I am accustomed to asking people,

"where were you born?"

In days gone by, people would look at you with amazement and say, "well

here, of course," but not anymore. Many of

the people living south of Atlanta in Fayette County are not originally from

here. They have moved here to enjoy this great place with its great churches and

schools and friendly atmosphere, weather, etc.

I feel the same way. My father retired from the military chaplaincy in 1966,

and we set up our home in Atlanta. My wife and I then lived in Fayette County on

and off since 1986. I have been analyzing why I love to live here and have come

up with some interesting reasons!

It's not the weather, although I think the weather is great here. It's not

the food, although I think the food is excellent. It's not the friendliness of

the people, although I think people are very friendly. It's not the schools, although

we have some very fine educational institutions here.

I feel it boils down to a very basic, simple fact. That fact

is that the basic Gospel message that through Christ and

a repentant heart you are loved, forgiven and are accepted

into his kingdom has been preached weekly over

and over and over more in the South than anywhere else

in the world. I was talking to my friend and I mentioned

that here in the South, here in Fayette County, we are in

the "Bible belt." He was quick to say, "no, we are in the diamond in

the buckle of the Bible belt."

If the Gospel message does not change individuals, and hearts, and

societies, then all we pastors need to pack up and spend our time more constructively doing something else.

It is interesting that we have taken the Ten Commandments out of our public schools and have replaced them with metal detectors. Many say we don't need more

churches because we haven't filled up the ones we have, however it is a proven fact that more people go to church through new church starts than if there were none.

I want a society where everywhere I turn, I encounter a Christian. I want a Christian to teach my children in school. I want the person from whom I buy groceries

to be a Christian. I want certainly the person from whom I buy a used car to be a Christian. I want the man or woman who repairs my old used cars to definitely be

a Christian. I want the person from whom I buy a house to be a Christian. I certainly want a Christian boss at work. I want the doctor who performs surgery on my

body to especially to be a dedicated Christian who prays before every operation. I want the person whom my daughter and son marry to be a Christian.

Last week's newspapers stated that in the South, 88 percent of the population professed believing in God or a higher power. Never be ashamed to tell your

friends and the world that you're a Christian, if you are one!

Nowhere in the Constitution of the United States does it talk about "separation of Church and State." Yet that phrase is quoted over and over by the

politically correct media until people think it is in the document itself. What it does say is that "Congress shall not establish or prohibit religion." It was never intended by

our forefathers to establish a country that would become irreligious or attack Christianity as seen in America today.

I thank almighty God that we live here in the South where the Gospel message is preached, read and lived over and over and over. That's what makes it great to

live here. Praise the Lord!

(Dr. Knox Herndon is a recently retired U.S. Army chaplain and

pastor of His House Community Church, 193 Johnson Ave., Fayetteville, behind

the Mask Tire Co. Herndon can be reached at 770-719-2365 or by

e-mail, [email protected].)

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