Cultural Rantings

Good Morning,

   If you don't live in NYC or some such similar place and you don't surf the web news each morning like I do, you might miss some of the more interesting developments that arise that show the true condition of our culture. A culture, by the way that we keep looking to to try to have them fix things. This will never happen. Our culture is so messed up that we need an overhaul of the whole system or we need to look to a different source for our hope. As you may have guessed, I believe the answer is in the latter part of that previous statement. Just today I have read of two cultural items that I find appalling and that I believe if we keep going after and allowing may cause the falling away of many.
   First, the conflict that is going on in our nation's capital over the issue of repealing "don't ask, don't tell." Our officials are in conflict over the effect that this law would have and are now attacking one another rather than sticking to the issues.
   Secondly was a billboard posted by the Lincoln Tunnel in NYC. It depicts the traditional Christian scene of a Christmas card: Wisemen coming to the place of the manger under the Star. The caption reads "You KNOW it's a Myth - This Season, Celebrate REASON!" Of course it is posted by American Atheists who consider themselves to be "reasonable since 1963."
   What is amazing to me is that they can't even see that our culture has literally been going to hell in a hand-basket since their "reasonableness" has been thrust upon us in form of public policy since 1963.
It is not so much that I am personally threatened by either of these items, it is just that we are so ignorant of the effects that these issues have on us spiritually that we sleep through the presentation of these matter and let things slip away from us without recognizing the detrimental effects they will have on our country, our practice of faith and for the future of our children and grandchildren and more.
   In the Scriptures, numerous times we read about things that will effect those "afar off." God has promises and principles in place that are meant to bless and protect and we, culturally, are attacking almost everyone of them. The enemy is subtle in his attack and he has until the end of time to tear away at the things of God.His purpose in the tearing away at the things of God is to destroy and devour.
My question for you is this. Do you see it happening? Do you notice the subtle changes that are destroying the fabric of faith and practice in our country? Do you feel the effects or are you in a spiritual slumber?


   There is a documented modern illustration that goes something like this: If you put a frog on a lily pad in a tank of water and immediately heat it to boiling, the frog will jump out. However, if you put the same frog in a tank of water and turn the temperature of the water up one degree at a time and allow for him to assimiliate to (tolerate) the change and keep turning it up until it reaches the boiling point, that frog will stay in the tank until it boils to death.
   In a culture where we as Christians are constantly being preached to that we must tolerate all these policies and practices do we recognize that if we do, if we tolerate everything that is turned against the things of God, we are going to end up like the frog. We tolerate the one degree at a time and say or do nothing, we just sit on the lily pad of life until we are boiled to death. The end is the same as if everything were turned up to boiling at the same time. It is just a slower process.
   The Scripture call is to awaken from our spiritual slumber. To guard that which has been entrusted to us. To hate what is evil and to cling to what is good. How are you doing with these things? Do the things of God matter to you? Do you recognize the tearing away that is happening?
   It is my hope and prayer that the things of God do matter and that you do recognize what is happening in our culture and that your hearts are turning once again to the source of our hope, Jesus. What we need is revival, not tolerance. Revival changes the climate of our culture so that we do not accept death. It quickens that hearts of sinners to the things of God that we might turn to Him and live.
   Have a blessed season in the things of God. and remember "Jesus IS the reason for the season!"

Jeff