The boundaries of moral propriety have expanded a bit in the last year, according to Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey. Specifically, more Americans today than a year ago say that the death penalty, embryonic stem cell research and having a baby out-of-wedlock are morally acceptable.

The following issues were viewed as morally acceptable by Americans:

• Death penalty: 70%
• Divorce: 66%
• Medical testing on animals: 66%
• Gambling: 64%
• Buying and wearing fur clothing: 64%
• Medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos: 60%
• Sex between an unmarried man and woman: 58%
• Having a baby outside of marriage: 54%
• Doctor-assisted suicide: 49%
• Homosexual relations: 44%
• Abortion: 40%
• Cloning animals: 35%

The following four issues were the least acceptable:

• Suicide: 13%
• Cloning humans: 9%
• Polygamy: 6%
• Married men and women having an affair: 5%

More generally, few Americans describe the current state of moral values in this country positively — according to the survey — and most say moral values are getting worse.

The full report can be found at www.gallup.com/poll/content/print.aspx?ci=16318.

I recently read an article in which the author talked about an experience he had at a gym. He said that all of the staff of the gym had t-shirts that said on the front, “You’re either pressing on or falling behind” and on the back, “Status quo is a myth.”

What a great challenge for us Christians!

Too many of us get to the Promise Land and then pitch camp just inside the border. We get saved. Our eternal future is secure, but we mistakenly are satisfied to look at life and just wait it out until heaven. We do not realize the benefits of a personal relationship with Jesus begin the minute He comes into our life.

Jesus came so that we “may life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV). Are you experiencing life in all its fullness? Or, are you just getting by?

Here’s a life principle for you. You will never experience the fullness of life Jesus means for you until you allow Jesus to have first place in every area of your life. Every area of your life: first in your marriage, first in your job, first in your financial resources, first in your time, and first place in your relationships.

Many people have subscribed to this principle in their heads, but very few actually embrace this truth with their behavior. Maybe it’s time you are ready to taste life in its rich fullness. What areas of your live do you need to give over to Jesus so it can happen?

Are you “pressing on or falling behind”? The choice is squarely in your hands.

Get healthy — go to church.

A Wall Street Journal article last week (May 3) reported on the results of a study that, "a growing body of scientific evidence shows that Americans who attend religious services at least once a week enjoy better-than-average health and lower rates of illness, including depression. Perhaps most important, the studies show that weekly attendance confers a significant reduction in mortality risk over a given period of time."

According to the Journal, "The panel reported that the studies showed a 25% lower mortality rate for those who attend religious services at least weekly. . . Religious services at churches, temples and mosques boast various features that can be beneficial to health — meditation, a social network, a set of values that discourage smoking, infidelity and other unhealthy behaviors."

As the medical professor who chaired the panel concluded, "After seeing the data, I think I should go to church."

Hey, that's what we've been saying all along.

It’s really easy to forget who’s in charge of this world we live in. Even we Christians get wrapped up in live and begin to think we are actually in control of things in our lives. That whole “self-made man” image runs head-long into the truth that God really is in control. We naturally fight let Him lead us.

Dr. Jeff Iorg, President of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary teaches four prayers that reinforce our submission to God.  They are:

• "Lord, I am expendable.  [use me] another day or a decade of life, whatever pleases you."
• "Lord, I serve at your pleasure.  Use me or not, whatever pleases you."
• "Lord, your kingdom matters.  Mine doesn't.  Use me up today to advance your cause."
• "Lord, you are God.  I am not.  Help me keep those roles straight today."

If we would just pray those simple prayers every day, I bet our lives would change in a dramatic way. Let’s give it a try.