If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
(My blog is late... When Don told me the news stations were reporting shots fired in an elementary school... I just couldn't wrap my mind around these little children being murdered. How could this be?)
Here a small town... a school... and innocent little children. As they learn to count and write their ABC's... we know they can't help but "day-dream" about Christmas morning. To help pass the time.. their teachers have organized activities around Christmas trees, Santa and presents. Their tiny, busy hands are making garland out of construction paper and cutting out snow flakes... as they giggle and share stories about going to see grandma and grandpa for the holidays.
Suddenly... an evil and depraved young man bursts into their classroom. Before any child can even begin to understand the shameless act of murder... many of them close their eyes for the last time... along with their teacher. The principal has already died... and the vice-principal crawls back into the office with wounds of his own.
Authorities... parents and teachers are shocked and paralyzed with fear. The news media jumps on the story immediately... soon the entire country is appalled and everyone is wondering not only how this could happen... but why?
As I began to think... two main reasons that came to my mind:
1. We have become a detached nation and we are disconnected from one another. We no longer know or depend on each other for friendships, caring or loving one another. We are isolated by technology... we don't talk to those we love or are close to. Instead, we text... instant message... and we type on pages of the internet... we have avatars that are more important to us. None of these activities are wrong... until we are isolated with an inability to really connect with other human beings. Unavailable in our relationships... even when we live in the same home or attend community events.
With all of these new ways to communicate... we lose the ability to recognize and empathize with each others feelings. Consciously or unconsciously we have chosen to 'check out' of real life and real living. Ask yourself... when was the last time you checked in on a neighbor, just to have a cup of coffee and see how they were doing? When is the last time you talked face to face... with those who are closest to you? How often do you write a little note... to someone you are missing?
2. The second reason is similar to the first... we have become a nation that no longer needs God. We are now self-sufficient and there is no need for prayer... or the Bible. No need to attend church or consider the ten commandments. We have and continue to remove any form of Jesus from our everyday lives. We have changed and continue to change the 'rules' of everyday living. We think that we should live the way we want... without care for how it affects us as a people or a nation.
We believe, we are a more advanced people by our acceptance of 'abortion on demand' or 'same sex marriages'. We justify and condone homosexuality... even in the church. We have allowed ourselves to believe, that there is nothing wrong with dressing half nude... and throwing modesty out the window. We have placed violent, bloody and gross videos and video games into... not only our hands... but our children's hands as well. We permit ourselves to engage in sexual activities outside of marriage and commitment. Self gratification, alcohol, drugs and entertainment are of utmost importance. The family has disintegrated and there seems to be no need for moral values.
It's not a pretty picture... is it! What is more disheartening... the church as a whole is also following the ways of the world. We want people to come and enjoy the time they spend in our services... just so they will return. We don't want to point out sin because it might offend someone. So we drift along... not wanting to take a stand for what is right.... and in the process the church has been weakened and unable to make a difference.
So... with a dying church... and a zealous 'atheistic minority'... prayer is no longer allowed in school... the ten commandments have been removed from public places... and Jesus is forgotten... by an emphasis placed on Santa Claus as the reason to celebrate. We dare not have a manger scene... or say "Merry Christmas"... little by little any and all Christian values have been or are being stripped away.
We than have the gall and arrogance to ask, "HOW could this happen? WHY would a loving God allow this to happen??" "WHY my child?" When we should be praying and asking God to have mercy on our souls!
My heart is sickened by the way the world is going. I am so sorry that little children are paying a price... for a nation that has turned its back on God! A price that was already paid... by the Lord Jesus himself.
I have to ask... what will it take to get us back on the right path? When will enough of this... truly be enough?? When will the church seek to please the Lord rather than man?? People... we need to get on our knees now... because there will be another shooting... and more innocent people will die... we just don't know when or where.
2 Chronicles 7:14
(My blog is late... When Don told me the news stations were reporting shots fired in an elementary school... I just couldn't wrap my mind around these little children being murdered. How could this be?)
Here a small town... a school... and innocent little children. As they learn to count and write their ABC's... we know they can't help but "day-dream" about Christmas morning. To help pass the time.. their teachers have organized activities around Christmas trees, Santa and presents. Their tiny, busy hands are making garland out of construction paper and cutting out snow flakes... as they giggle and share stories about going to see grandma and grandpa for the holidays.
Suddenly... an evil and depraved young man bursts into their classroom. Before any child can even begin to understand the shameless act of murder... many of them close their eyes for the last time... along with their teacher. The principal has already died... and the vice-principal crawls back into the office with wounds of his own.
Authorities... parents and teachers are shocked and paralyzed with fear. The news media jumps on the story immediately... soon the entire country is appalled and everyone is wondering not only how this could happen... but why?
As I began to think... two main reasons that came to my mind:
1. We have become a detached nation and we are disconnected from one another. We no longer know or depend on each other for friendships, caring or loving one another. We are isolated by technology... we don't talk to those we love or are close to. Instead, we text... instant message... and we type on pages of the internet... we have avatars that are more important to us. None of these activities are wrong... until we are isolated with an inability to really connect with other human beings. Unavailable in our relationships... even when we live in the same home or attend community events.
With all of these new ways to communicate... we lose the ability to recognize and empathize with each others feelings. Consciously or unconsciously we have chosen to 'check out' of real life and real living. Ask yourself... when was the last time you checked in on a neighbor, just to have a cup of coffee and see how they were doing? When is the last time you talked face to face... with those who are closest to you? How often do you write a little note... to someone you are missing?
2. The second reason is similar to the first... we have become a nation that no longer needs God. We are now self-sufficient and there is no need for prayer... or the Bible. No need to attend church or consider the ten commandments. We have and continue to remove any form of Jesus from our everyday lives. We have changed and continue to change the 'rules' of everyday living. We think that we should live the way we want... without care for how it affects us as a people or a nation.
We believe, we are a more advanced people by our acceptance of 'abortion on demand' or 'same sex marriages'. We justify and condone homosexuality... even in the church. We have allowed ourselves to believe, that there is nothing wrong with dressing half nude... and throwing modesty out the window. We have placed violent, bloody and gross videos and video games into... not only our hands... but our children's hands as well. We permit ourselves to engage in sexual activities outside of marriage and commitment. Self gratification, alcohol, drugs and entertainment are of utmost importance. The family has disintegrated and there seems to be no need for moral values.
It's not a pretty picture... is it! What is more disheartening... the church as a whole is also following the ways of the world. We want people to come and enjoy the time they spend in our services... just so they will return. We don't want to point out sin because it might offend someone. So we drift along... not wanting to take a stand for what is right.... and in the process the church has been weakened and unable to make a difference.
So... with a dying church... and a zealous 'atheistic minority'... prayer is no longer allowed in school... the ten commandments have been removed from public places... and Jesus is forgotten... by an emphasis placed on Santa Claus as the reason to celebrate. We dare not have a manger scene... or say "Merry Christmas"... little by little any and all Christian values have been or are being stripped away.
We than have the gall and arrogance to ask, "HOW could this happen? WHY would a loving God allow this to happen??" "WHY my child?" When we should be praying and asking God to have mercy on our souls!
My heart is sickened by the way the world is going. I am so sorry that little children are paying a price... for a nation that has turned its back on God! A price that was already paid... by the Lord Jesus himself.
I have to ask... what will it take to get us back on the right path? When will enough of this... truly be enough?? When will the church seek to please the Lord rather than man?? People... we need to get on our knees now... because there will be another shooting... and more innocent people will die... we just don't know when or where.
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