From My Perspective - - -
In several areas of our culture, there appears to be a departure from a sense of appreciation for others and their achievements; a readiness to embrace ridicule and demeaning of fellow human beings; a willingness to caricature certain strata of our society (ethnic and gender groups, occupations, nations, etc.). It’s easy to detect in current examples when news reports speak of the adulation of and for Michael Jackson on the one hand, and the ridicule and demeaning of Sarah Palin (and her children) on the other hand. Somewhere along the way, misdirection has allowed for the diminution of respect, fairness and acceptance of each other. There may be merit – if understood and applied appropriately - in the adage “live and let live” that would be helpful in our world today.
There’s a story of the old preacher who announced to his parish overseers that he would have to leave his congregation due to a widespread Malady and Malaise. When pressed to amplify, he was forced to admit and state – actually – they were Sick and Tired of him and no longer wanted him to continue. While that is meant as humor, in the area of spiritual impact in our culture, the overall Malady and Malaise prevails. The role and place of religion is diminishing more and more in our nation and culture. Several examples come to mind from recent days: (1) The President of the United States serves, in a sense, as a role model. However, he cannot find a church where he and his family can attend for regular worship; (2) The National Day of Prayer came and went with very little attention given to it by our political leaders; (3) The God and Country Family Festival in Nampa, Idaho, applied to the Pentagon for the flyover but was denied because the Pentagon prohibited support of special interest groups. The official statement was: “it violates a Pentagon policy against supporting any event that provides a selective benefit to any individual, group, or organization, including any religious or sectarian organization, ideological movement, political campaign or organization, or commercial enterprise, to include a shopping mall or motion picture promotion." However, the Flyovers have taken place at this festival for the past 42 years.
In thinking about spiritual impact, the drift away from the foundations and moorings of national focus on The Eternal God is no recent phenomenon. There is an interesting observation in Jeremiah 5:30-31, “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” There are three observations being made: (1) there is Deception; (2) there is usurpation of authority; (3) the people demonstrate naiveté and/or gullibility and embrace this departure wholeheartedly. Proper Assessment and drastic action are called for in Deuteronomy 13:1-5, “Suppose there are prophets among you, or those who have dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles take place. If the prophets then say, Come, let us worship the gods of foreign nations, do not listen to them. The LORD your God is testing you to see if you love him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. The false prophets or dreamers who try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of slavery in the land of Egypt. Since they try to keep you from following the LORD your God, you must execute them to remove the evil from among you.” Execution is not the suggestion for today, but realistic assessment should be our national concern.
Many people suggest their sense of a national Malady and Malaise. They are becoming sick and tired in terms of the culture and national direction. The point is – What Will YOU Do About It? Will you remain silent, or merely complain to your peer group – or – will you become engaged and involved in helping this nation and culture become re-focused? Or, have you become lulled like the people of Jeremiah’s day allowing yourself to become numbered with - “…my people love it this way…”? Consider these things with me!
In several areas of our culture, there appears to be a departure from a sense of appreciation for others and their achievements; a readiness to embrace ridicule and demeaning of fellow human beings; a willingness to caricature certain strata of our society (ethnic and gender groups, occupations, nations, etc.). It’s easy to detect in current examples when news reports speak of the adulation of and for Michael Jackson on the one hand, and the ridicule and demeaning of Sarah Palin (and her children) on the other hand. Somewhere along the way, misdirection has allowed for the diminution of respect, fairness and acceptance of each other. There may be merit – if understood and applied appropriately - in the adage “live and let live” that would be helpful in our world today.
There’s a story of the old preacher who announced to his parish overseers that he would have to leave his congregation due to a widespread Malady and Malaise. When pressed to amplify, he was forced to admit and state – actually – they were Sick and Tired of him and no longer wanted him to continue. While that is meant as humor, in the area of spiritual impact in our culture, the overall Malady and Malaise prevails. The role and place of religion is diminishing more and more in our nation and culture. Several examples come to mind from recent days: (1) The President of the United States serves, in a sense, as a role model. However, he cannot find a church where he and his family can attend for regular worship; (2) The National Day of Prayer came and went with very little attention given to it by our political leaders; (3) The God and Country Family Festival in Nampa, Idaho, applied to the Pentagon for the flyover but was denied because the Pentagon prohibited support of special interest groups. The official statement was: “it violates a Pentagon policy against supporting any event that provides a selective benefit to any individual, group, or organization, including any religious or sectarian organization, ideological movement, political campaign or organization, or commercial enterprise, to include a shopping mall or motion picture promotion." However, the Flyovers have taken place at this festival for the past 42 years.
In thinking about spiritual impact, the drift away from the foundations and moorings of national focus on The Eternal God is no recent phenomenon. There is an interesting observation in Jeremiah 5:30-31, “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” There are three observations being made: (1) there is Deception; (2) there is usurpation of authority; (3) the people demonstrate naiveté and/or gullibility and embrace this departure wholeheartedly. Proper Assessment and drastic action are called for in Deuteronomy 13:1-5, “Suppose there are prophets among you, or those who have dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles take place. If the prophets then say, Come, let us worship the gods of foreign nations, do not listen to them. The LORD your God is testing you to see if you love him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. The false prophets or dreamers who try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of slavery in the land of Egypt. Since they try to keep you from following the LORD your God, you must execute them to remove the evil from among you.” Execution is not the suggestion for today, but realistic assessment should be our national concern.
Many people suggest their sense of a national Malady and Malaise. They are becoming sick and tired in terms of the culture and national direction. The point is – What Will YOU Do About It? Will you remain silent, or merely complain to your peer group – or – will you become engaged and involved in helping this nation and culture become re-focused? Or, have you become lulled like the people of Jeremiah’s day allowing yourself to become numbered with - “…my people love it this way…”? Consider these things with me!
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