POLITICS AS USUAL

We have already been inundated with political ads in my part of the country as I’m sure most of you have.   If this is any indicator of what lies ahead, I think we’re in for a long couple of years.

As a Christian and a American, I believe that God is the One who instituted government in its purest form.  I don’t think He had anything to do with the process of campaigning however.  In fact, I think He’s undoubtedly shaking His head in disbelief as our nation prepares for another local election and setting up for the next presidential vote.

TV ads have become so filled with lies and deceit towards the opposing parties, it’s difficult to determine which party the candidate is running for.  Tremendous amounts of money is spent on these ads.  The money is raised by those already in high office so that their party will remain in power.  Special interest groups get on the band wagon and throw in their tribute to guarantee payback from their investment as soon as their choice is elected.  It makes you wonder if there is any truth in the political process anymore.  It also makes me wonder why anyone of any integrity would want to be a candidate.

Lord, I know that you are in control of all things that are happening in our world.  Help me to be discerning when choosing the right candidate.  So much false information is infiltrating our ever changing world and I find it difficult to see truth in any of it.  Help me remember that you control the universe and everything in it.  Give me the faith to trust that you will make something good from every situation – even the things that have been corrupted by the devil. Amen!

 

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THE ONLY WAY OUT

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  1 Corinthians 10:13

Life is tough.  It wasn’t intended to be that way, but temptation got in the way.  With one bite of forbidden fruit, the perfect relationship with God became tainted.  That could have been the end of the story and we could all be doomed to an eternity in hell, but God doesn’t work that way.  He provided the means of escape for us.

The world tells us to be self-reliant.  We’re supposed to find our own way – to be self-sufficient, independent, thinking individuals who can figure things out for ourselves.  Unfortunately, as soon as we go that route, we are sure to run into countless road blocks and detours.

There is only one escape from tribulation.  The road isn’t always the one we would choose.   We might decide on the easy road to get to our destination. We may choose to ignore the obstacles – to take our own path – to think we know better, but it would be so much easier to just let God take the wheel.  He has a clear vision of what lies ahead.  He has a perfect plan for each individual on this planet and He has promised to bring us safely home.

Just as we cannot earn our way into heaven, we must submit completely to the will of God.  He will direct our footsteps and when we no longer can walk – he will carry us.  Trust in His direction for your life and He will help you endure any difficulties you encounter.  Though His dear Son, Jesus, we can look forward to reaching our final objective.

Lord, help me to rely totally on your plan for my life.  Amen!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLIE BROWN

It’s Charlie Brown’s 64th birthday today.  In 1950 he made his first appearance as a cartoon character.  Just think – in another year he can collect Social Security and start living the dream of all the rest of us Baby Boomers.

Chances are he will continue working – he will feel the pinch of the almighty dollar, but at least he can collect on is royalties – he will probably become totally depressed when he discovers that the red headed girl is living in a nursing home – Lucy is running her own corporation – Linus is manufacturing blankets in Indonesia – Schroeder is on another concert tour and being followed by teenaged groupies – Peppermint Pattie is coaching the Minnesota Twins – Sally has her own reality TV show and Snoopy has his own line of dog food.

Life goes on.  Even the things that once amused us continue too.  Life doesn’t have to end when we reach our later years.   We all grow old and we all face changes and challenges in our lives.  Thank God for that fact each and every day.  We are getting one step closer to heaven!

Happy birthday, Charlie Brown!

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BUMPS IN THE ROAD

I live in Minnesota where there are two seasons – winter and road construction.  Actually, my home state has much more to offer than just those two seasons, but these two events are something we’ve learned to tolerate over time.  When the weather is inclement, we have to deal with the mending of our roads and the filling of potholes caused by that same difficult weather.

The life of every human being is kind of like that too.  Things may seem to be coasting along nicely when suddenly we hit a bump and it can mean major repairs to our car or new tires to get you through the next pothole.  Ever since sin was established in the Garden of Eden, God’s perfect creation has been pock-marked with all kinds of delays and disruptions.  The paradise originally created for our enjoyment has become a constant work in progress.

We face bumps in the road from the minute we rise in the morning until we go to bed at night.  Even as we try to gain rest from some of those disturbances, our mind is invaded with dreams that stir up our peace and trouble us.

The only remedy for a big pothole is to fill it up and re-pave it.  Trouble is, this can be just a temporary fix.  With our sin, we can be guaranteed that we have been reborn through the price Jesus paid on the cross to eliminate them.  The cost was immeasurable – the payment made by God Himself – a new beginning for all of us – a promise of eternal paradise when we leave this world.

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for rebuilding our lives.  Your gift of salvation holds so much promise and hope.  You alone are the clear path that leads to our lives in eternity. I know that my road here on earth will not always be easy.  There will be huge obstacles to overcome, but you will be right there with me – guiding me through them;  shoring me up so I have the fortitude to withstand them; giving me the directions to reach my final goal.  Amen!

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WHAT IS TRUTH?

I wonder if Pontius Pilate had any idea what Jesus was saying when he heard the accused firmly state that he indeed was a king.   Here was an ordinary criminal declaring His defense.  Pilate probably was trying to engage our Lord in some philosophical pander, but Jesus told the ruler that His purpose was to bring the truth to the world – truth which had been diluted and polluted over the centuries before His birth – truth which the devil had undermined with his many lies.

Satan has been manipulating the truth to fit his own agenda since the beginning of creation.  He still continues to do so today.  We can’t always see the workings of his hand.  It’s often sugar coated and presented to us in a beautiful package.  He even uses God’s own words to finagle his way into our hearts.

Those blatant untruths have permeated the church today as they did in Jesus’  lifetime.  This often happens when the body of believers tries to rewrite scripture to fit their own needs and desires.  This is one of those sneaky ways that Satan uses to twist the truth.

We must constantly be on guard.  God’s Word is the only truth we need for every area of our lives.  When we allow the devil to sabotage that truth, we are opening the door for all kinds of deception.

Dear, Lord, you gave your life in defense of your Father’s truth.  You continue to make your Words available to us today and we often misuse them.  Help us study and re-study your amazing scriptures.  Help us see how those words support themselves.  Keep us always on track.  Allow the truth to permeate our souls and give us the fortification we need in this deceptive world.  Help us to fight off the devil and his lies.   Amen!

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Day off

Today I’m taking off to enjoy time with family and friends who will join with us to celebrate our special day – so I’m re-posting an older one of my posts. See you tomorrow.

The icy grip of the world has taken hold of many churches of our day, causing some to accommodate the politically correct or those who want nothing more than to feel good.  We must be on guard to make sure that the church is following God’s Holy Word. 

Many folks have a difficult time with some of the concepts and teachings of the Bible.  For example, no one likes to hear about their sin. Some tend to think that sin was designed to keep us in line through guilt. The idea of a world flood is unimaginable even though we see the power of God in the weather every day.   It’s inconceivable that a virgin could give birth.  It’s impossible for a man to return to life after suffering a brutal, horrendous death. We find it difficult to understand that God actually spoke to people in the early days of history.

The Bible is really a manual for life and it was written by God Himself through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament is filled with stories of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.  It shows how man cannot save himself from damnation and a cruel punishment in hell.  It also gives hope for a Savior and has over 300 prophesies about Him which were fulfilled in the little town of Bethlehem.  

Lord, I am so grateful for a church that remains based in your Holy Word.  Each passage can take on new meaning in any of my circumstances.  Thank you for inspiring men with your Holy Spirit, keeping your words alive and the lines of communication open to you.  I know this is how you talk to us today.  By giving us this beautiful book, you have drawn me closer to you each day.

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LIFE CHANGING SEASONS

There is nothing like autumn in Minnesota.  It’s the reason we live in this part of the country. The other seasons hold their own special beauty, but fall is full of amazing colors and elements that fill the senses to capacity.  This is why we chose to be married at this time of the year.  It’s a time of splendor where God pulls out all the stops when it comes to painting the landscape.

It was 50 years ago today.  Somehow the weather wasn’t so splendid.  It was raining.  I had heard all the old wives tales about a rainy day being a good sign for a happy marriage.  Who makes up those stories anyway?  Rain has nothing to do with it.  I was a little annoyed that my special day was going to be one mad dash from house to car to church to car and to reception with hopes of not destroying the dress I had spent six months salary on.

As I looked out the window early that morning, my mind was filled with anticipation.  It didn’t matter that it was raining.  I was going to marry the only man I ever loved in a few short hours and nothing was going to spoil that.

It has been fifty years today.  The sky is a little overcast. I wonder if it will rain.

Anticipation still remains after all these years.  We have had our share of storms.  We’ve learned to tolerate some of each other’s idiosyncrasies – we ‘ve spent many days wondering if we would ever get on our feet financially – we’ve prayed together when faced with difficult decisions and health issues.  We’ve at times wondered if we would stay together forever.  We’ve had major disagreements, spats, tears, highs and lows and yet we’ve remained faithful to each other for all this time.

I am thankful to God for blessing me with such an outstanding Christian husband.  He has been my inspiration, my motivator, my encourager, my teacher, my lover, my guide and through all the rain that has fallen on us, he has been my umbrella – protecting me with his love.

Dear, Lord – You have given me one of life’s greatest gifts – a husband who loves You.  Through him, I have grown closer to You.  He has shown me how important it is to have You as the center of our lives together.  Thank you for showering me with Your love through this wonderful man.  Amen!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, PAUL.  I LOVE YOU YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW.

 

 

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You Can Do It!

For three days a week I have the pleasure of working one-on-one with 5-8 graders, developing their public speaking skills. I have already had some of these same kids in drama classes and it has been so much fun watching their confidence blossom.

When they come to me as 5th graders, I can see that glazed over look of fear at this new assignment. It’s much different putting yourself in such position than anything they’ve done before. At least when you are playing a part in a play, you can hide behind a mask – become another person for a while and show a different side of yourself.

I have been teaching drama for over 35 years. I have been in many plays, but when it’s time to be the “real” me, I find it tough to do as well. It’s like taking a band aid off and exposing something ugly for everyone to see.

I think we all like to have people see the best in us – without our flaws – without our warts or our self confidence. Each day we may be covering up those things with a mask of protection.

If God were to judge us in this way, we wouldn’t stand a chance at being one of His heirs. We have fallen way short of the mark in so many ways. Because of His amazing love for us, all of our sins have been covered over through His Son, Jesus. He is our shield, our protector, our confidence. Through Him we can do anything.

So, since I am fortunate to work in a Christian school, I can tell these precious children, that they can even get up in front of their peers with confidence, because the mask has been removed and they can do all things through Christ, Jesus.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to share you with these kids. It’s so good to know that you value all your children. You have redeemed us with the greatest price anyone could pay. If you think so much of us, let us also feel confident in what you can do through us. Amen!

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Compromise

compromise

The first year of marriage is a time of learning the most intimate thoughts about the one you love. It means discovering that he hasn’t yet learned to put the toilet seat down and she doesn’t roll up the toothpaste tube.

Its an exercise in giving up, giving over, just plain giving. You soon learn that it isn’t all about you anymore. I knew before marrying my husband that he loves hunting. We changed our wedding date so that he wouldn’t miss the bow hunting opener. We spent one day of our honeymoon hunting. He hunted – I waited in the car. He didn’t much appreciate my beeping the horn when I thought he might be in danger. Not quite sure how I thought that would would help anyway.

I got accustomed to seeing dead birds in the refrigerator with rigor mortis already setting in. He had to tolerate going to bed with a woman with rollers in her hair and sweat socks on her feet. Gone were the days of trying to impress. Now it was a matter of putting up with each other’s reality.

Each of those tiny adjustments were just the beginning of a lifetime filled with them. Compromise is right up there with laughter in importance. You must put aside your own personal needs and take on an attitude of selflessness, but still maintain the same personality that drew you together in the first place.  Not always an easy task.

We can never fully mirror the love that Jesus has for us, but we can use His servant attitude as an example. When you are fully devoted to the one you love, you put them first.

As years pass, you become more and more of one mind, despite some disagreements, but every step brings you closer together and closer to your Creator.

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YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

The giant reaper opens it massive jaws and its teeth consume the hay – It spits out bales of  golden chunks as it forages through fields of fodder – food that will keep the cattle happy for the cold months ahead.

The smell of fresh, homemade bread and southern fried chicken wafts from the kitchen of the run down old farm house.  Nutmeg and cinnamon are among the tempting scents.  An apple pie or two awaits.  The aroma tickles the nostrils of those in the fields and calls to them.  Work will have to wait for a while.

A harvest moon appears in the distance.  Maybe just a little more can be accomplished by the light of it.

 

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SUPER HEROES

idols

The idea of separating the exceptional from the ordinary isn’t new.  The Greeks were masters of setting them up on a pedestal.  They told stories about their heroes – they performed plays about them – they even worshiped them.

Today, society puts the same importance on its “special” people.  We go wild over every new singing sensation.  We want to dress and look like the hottest super models.  We wish we had the talent and strength to do amazing things ourselves through those we adore.  We believe that the ones we place our hopes and dreams on will always be perfect.

Then something happens.  Either they become so full of themselves that they believe they can live any way they want or they actually believe they are invincible.  Part of that problem is created by those who worship them.

There is no man on this planet that is perfect.  There is no one person who is better than anyone else.  There is no individual who will not fall if placed up so high above others.  This is true of each and every one of us – from the athlete to the pop star to the politician to the teacher to the every man.  We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.

He is the only One that belongs in such a position of power.  The minute we substitute Him with some thing or some one else we are setting ourselves up for great disappointment.

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A PERFECT ROLE MODEL

Do we place upon a pedestal the heroes of our time?
We sometimes make them idols. Do we think they are divine?
When they show that they are human, they quickly tumble down.
They lose that place of honor. They no more wear a crown.

They thought they were invincible – that they could do no wrong.
They took the road most travelled – they sang their own sweet song.
The accolades enticed them. Their greed did overcome.
They tested all the limits. To their pride they would succumb.

The only super hero that fills our every need,
Is Jesus, Christ our Savior. For our souls His wounds did bleed.
He gave His life to save us – from sin to set us free.
He conquered death to give us life for all eternity.

The superstars and champions may give us all a thrill,
But the Son of God won’t let us down. Our every need he’ll fill.
So look to Him for lasting peace. The victory he has won.
He is our true redeemer- role model – Number One!

Kathy Boecher

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I CAN’T DO THIS ALONE!

encouragement20There are days when we wonder how we got through the day.  We can become discouraged by all the evil in the world – by a difficult health diagnosis – a day at work that was impossible to handle – or just the thought of facing yet another problem in our already overloaded lives.  Sometimes it just takes every ounce of courage we can muster to get out of bed.

When days like that assail us, a good place to look for the fortitude necessary to overcome our insecurities is the Psalms in the Bible.  They are an intimate conversation between man and His Creator.  I often envy David for his ability to communicate his every need to his Father in heaven with such beautiful words.

God doesn’t expect us to be great writers or orators.  He just wants to hear from us. Some days it seems like he wants to hear from us more and more as the tests in life become more and more difficult to endure.

Our courage doesn’t come from us really.  The little voice inside of us telling us not to give up is the Holy Spirit.  He is our encourager – our fortifier – our strength.  It’s hard to imagine the voice of God being anything but powerful and strong.  The voice of his Spirit can sometimes be just a whisper telling us to try again tomorrow.

Psalm 16:8  “I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

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Today’s Quote

What an amazing quote – surely applicable to all of us.

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HERE COMES THE BRIDE!

marriageWhen we begin our lives as Christians, we are actually entering a marriage with Jesus.  We are committing our lives to Him. We are vowing to live our lives according to His ways.  We are promising to love Him forever. He often refers to Himself as the Bridegroom.

When we go into marriage, our eyes may be glazed over by the beauty of the ceremony, the lovely reception, the flowers and the joy that permeates every inch of the sanctuary. After the honeymoon, reality sets in and you realize you are beginning one of the most difficult (yet most rewarding) journeys of your life.

We don’t enter marriage thinking of ending it, though today it seems easy to walk away from our problems rather than facing them and working them out. Have we forgotten that marriage means loving someone as you love yourself? Has the idea of serving another become so outdated that it isn’t in the marriage package anymore? Do we find it easier these days to have a “trial” marriage before actually making a life-long commitment – kind of like a test drive?

Marriage, like our walk with Jesus, is a great blessing. It is the joining of three entities into one – a man, woman and God as the head of them. When we look at it that way, we are honoring each other and the God that created us.

In the next few days I will be talking a lot about this subject. Soon my husband and I will be celebrating 50 years of marriage. I would be lying if I said it was smooth sailing all the way. A marriage only lasts that long, because of commitment, faith, hope, unconditional love, trust, and placing God at the top of your priority list. He promises to bless such a marriage and He has truly done that with mine.

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BOUND FOR A NEW WORLD

mayflower

There were 102 on board the small sailing vessels. Half of them had tired of the corruption in the Church of England and were bound for a new life where they could worship as they pleased; while half of them were eager to invest their time and money into a fledgling country that showed great promise. Each had no idea what was in store for them, but they pursued their dreams with determination, courage and hope. On September 15, 1620, the Mayflower set sail for Virginia, but was blown off course and wound up in what is today Massachusetts.

Our country has changed tremendously over the past 400 years, but many of the core values still exist. Sometimes it may seem that we have come full circle and should start looking for a new place to settle – a place without corruption – a community where we can begin again – a new Eden where God is still alive and active in the lives of His people.

We tend to think, in light of current events, that there aren’t many left who believe as we do. We might even believe we are a huge minority. On the outside, our world is a nasty place, but there is still more than a remnant of those who love God. I see that every day as I read the many writings of fellow Christians. It rekindles the same kind of hope, determination and courage these early pilgrims had to push them forward.

I believe that God is very much alive and He is available to us wherever we travel in life. When the world is crumbling around us, we can depend on Him to carry us over the rough seas that overtake us from time to time. All we have to do is believe in Him. It’s so simple and yet so very difficult for some.

Lord, help us to realize that you are the Captain of our journey through life. You are at the wheel and in control – guiding us, protecting us, refining us and leading us to our final destination. Give us the assurance that our pilgrimage here on earth is temporary and that we can look forward to an eternity in your paradise.  Amen!

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ALL I NEED IS YOU!

God-Doesnt-Want-Something-From-Us

It’s hard for us to understand someone who keeps on giving, without expecting something in return.  We have grown accustomed to a selfish, me-motivated world.

Unfortunately as soon as we leave God out of the equation, we fail to come up with the right answers for the most difficult tests in life.  Maybe our prayers aren’t being answered right away.  We might not be getting the answers we want.  We may be asking for things that would bring us pain.  Isn’t it true that a teacher is often quiet during a test?  It isn’t that they want us to fail – they want us to put our full concentration on the work that needs to be done.

We aren’t making a deal with God when we pray.  When we place our confidence in Him we are allowing Him to bless us completely.  He will guide us through our daily walk.  He will hold our hands and keeps us from stumbling.  He will carry us when the burdens become too hard to bear.

God is our Father.  He cares about His children with a love that we can’t begin to comprehend.  It’s so easy, isn’t it?  All we have to do is give our hearts to Him and be consumed with His love and then share that love with others.

Lord, I need to let go of the cares that eat away at my faith.  I need to trust that you will always be there to hear my prayers and answer them in your way.  You know what’s best for me, so help me to trust in your bountiful care.  Amen!

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IGNORANCE IS BLISS

calvin-and-hobbes-its-true-hobbes-ignorance-is-bliss

Yesterday I kind of blew my stack when I discussed being offended.  Sometimes it’s better to just not know all the ugly stuff going on in this world.  Sometimes it’s better to be blissfully ignorant.  Well – not really!

God wants us to be watchful.  He wants us to know the evil that inhabits our planet.  It’s a good thing to know your enemy so you know how to combat him.  It’s also good to be vigilant and stand up for your beliefs.

As soon as we let our guard down, the enemy weasels his way into our thinking, our way of life, our politics, our very existence.  It is our duty as Christians to be educated in the ways of the world.

Luke 21:36  “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
but also to be learned in the ways of the Lord.”

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I’M OFFENDED!

I am getting really sick of it! I’m tired of hearing that my country’s flag has become offensive to some. I’m overwhelmed that some are offended by my lack of understanding of sexual immorality. I’m disgusted that just about everything that is based on Christianity is frowned upon. I grow weary with the idea of being tolerant has taken on a whole new meaning in today’s world. I’m beleaguered by the fact that everyone else can be offended except for those of us who hold tight to Judaeo Christian values.

It all started insidiously slow. I think it began when Madeline Murray O’Hair filed a lawsuit in 1963 against Bible reading in public schools. Her newly formed Atheist movement was already infiltrating America and eating away at so much of what America believed and stood for.

Today we must walk on eggshells so we don’t offend anyone, but what about those of us who are offended by the new morality or lack thereof?What about those of us who still believe that those entering our borders legally or illegally, should learn to speak our language, go about obtaining citizenship according to the constitution, abide by our laws, not take advantage of “the system” and above all act like Americans – not building little replicas of their former homelands.

We are a nation of blended ethnicities and denominations which has always worked before because people used to have value and opportunities they just don’t have today. We are still capable of doing great things as a united nation, but that comes from mutual trust and understanding.

I have tried to quiet my voice on this topic, but my patience is running out and I believe someone once said, “beware the wrath of a patient man (or woman.) I get offended when I can’t mention my Savior’s name. I get upset when my elected officials can’t seem to get their work done. I’m offended when I have to be tolerant of every kind of behavior out there. I feel discriminated against because I’m white and because I’m old.

Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek and to trust in Him above all things. That is the only thing that allows me to have tolerance; but there are days when I’m just sick of it!

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BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Seeking-Jesus-Christ-Good-News-Gospel-Cross1

Every day we are exposed to the evil that contaminates our world.  What goes on behind closed doors is often disgusting, appalling, pitiful, inhumane and full of hatred.

As I look at news events I read about a home in Blackstone, Mass. where three dead infants are found amidst a sea of filth and vermin.  Four others are alive but are living their childhood in despicable conditions and who knows what they have to face each day.

A man in Minneapolis is found dead from fatal stab wounds after having an argument with another – an argument!

A football player brutally roughs up his girlfriend in an elevator and drags her unconscious body to his hotel room.

Further from home we see our own people being decapitated – Children being mass murdered – Christians being persecuted and killed for their beliefs.

It seems like the end of the world must be coming soon.  The signs of the end times are growing clearer every day.  Unfortunately this sort of behavior isn’t new.  It has been going on since the fall of man into sin.

It seems each generation becomes more and more depraved, but does it?  Sin is sin and it probably isn’t much different than it was way back when – we just live in a world where everything is immediate – including the ugly side of life.  There are videos of these ugly events which in a flash go viral. We have a front row seat to every kind of dastardly behavior out there.

Instead of complaining about it – or ignoring it – or shaking our heads –  we should be doing something about it.  We have the perfect opportunity right now in our time to share a better way to live to those who are hurting – who have suffered abuse – are living in hopeless conditions – are dying before their time.

These same tools (the media and the internet) which bring us the open knowledge of what is happening day by day, can be used to bring relief and comfort to the world.  It’s the soothing balm of God’s wonderful message for our lives.  We have it right at our finger tips.

START SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS!





 

Posted in aging, Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, goals, Hope for the hopeless, Inspiration, Life, Optimism, parenting, reflections, Technology and Kids | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments