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Friday, February 22, 2013
I like to sing in the pew ...yet, when I sing it is in the church pew. I would hope that I would continue to sing in less desirable conditions. And as Isaiah 64:6, states, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." That being absolutely true, the pew I was referring to was the church pew ...and though I don't sing in the choir, nor do I attempt to preach to the choir.
*******************************************************************************
I am simply going to tell a story of two young men, who meet at a popular restaurant located just off the college campus.
****************************
Friend: "So, what did you learn today?"
Student: "My Sociology class is very interesting. So much is happening all around us, it's difficult to take it in all at once."
Friend: "What do you think of the campus organization?"
Student: "The one you recommended to me?"
Friend: "Yes."
Student: "I really like it. I want to go on my first outing with them this weekend."
Friend: "When I went on my first outing, my parents were opposed to it, but they soon realized I am an adult and can do whatever I see fit to do."
Student: "My parents wouldn't understand either, but they don't really show much concern with what I do. They've been treating me like an adult, for the most part, since I turned thirteen."
Friend: "It's understandable why our parents don't trust any new ideas ...especially those ideas that help us get involved in better government. When our parents were growing up, the government couldn't be trusted. And they likely will be slow to accept anyone seeing a clear path from under those fears and biases."
Student: "I guess you're right. Trust is not usually something built up overnight."
Friend: "My parents are big skeptics about almost everything. They don't realize that by holding us back, they could be jeopardizing our world ...and our future."
Student: "That's why I want to get more involved. I want to be part of all this ...and I know together we can do this."
Friend: "Yes, when I talk to my parents, I just get discouraged. But when us young people all get together ...it generates hope. And I'm no longer afraid."
Student: "I know, that's the way I feel. Sure, these are scary times, but that's why we need to stick together. We can accomplish so much when we work together."
Friend: "You catch on fast! And you're right ...just like that fence we put up. I feel a lot more secure since we put up that fence. Too bad my parents are so insecure ...but it's worse than that. Sometimes it irks me how ungrateful they are. They should be thankful for all our work. That fence helps protect them too."
Student: "You're right about that! How can anyone doubt the organization's sincerity ...when they actually paid us for putting up the fence. You'd think my folks would be thankful. Dad has been out of work, and the money I brought home from that job ...well, let's just say, it really helped us get by. And it helped lots of other families too."
Friend: "You know, they are going to have you working again on this weekend outing. The pay is not great, but it's the best around these days. Maybe your folks will soften up a bit when they realize how valuable the organization is. It puts the food on your table ...and nowadays, that's no small thing."
****************************
The following week, the two meet again at the same restaurant.
****************************
Student: "You know, you were right. My folks did soften up a bit. Dad's always been sort of a prideful man. He can't get used to me being the one to help put food on the table. He figures that if I can work, he can too. He says that any organization that can help supply needs during difficult times, can't be all that bad."
Friend: "So, he's really coming around ...that's good to hear."
Student: "He even told me that if there's any job this weekend, he'd like to go along."
Friend: "It so happens that there's a job ...actually, a big job. Something we have to do to help secure our future. We have to do it quickly though ...before things get worse. There's actually been alot of parents coming around ...getting use to us. Sometimes it takes a while for the older people to trust ...and realize who their real friends are."
Student: "So, what about this weekend?"
Friend: "Well, on such short notice ...I don't really know. All I can do is try. It is a big project, but many of the parents signed on last weekend ...no offense, but your parents were rather on the slow side. Actually, we have more of a need for women at this time. Maybe you could bring your mom along with you. Your dad may have to wait a week ...two at the most."
Student: "Mom won't go anywhere without Dad."
Friend: "Well, bring them both along ...I'll see what I can do."
****************************
That weekend, the friend awaits the student and both his parents. Upon seeing them, he smiles.
***************************
Friend: "I told you I'd do my best. The organization was so excited by the overwhelming interest in the project, that they were able to secure this train for our transportation."
Student: "Great, now no one has to be turned away. By the way, what is the project for this weekend?"
Friend: "Oh, they will let us know all about it when we get there."
***************************
Once the train is filled to capacity, some of the passengers begin to sing. It had been a long time since so many families had gathered together for a common purpose.
This purpose ...few knew about, so they didn't try to escape. And probably only a few of you knew I was referring to the horrific event ...the Holocaust.
**************************
When it was too late to do anything about it ...all the people could do is imagine this was the dreaded time that they'd read about in the Book of Revelation ...End Times.
We know it was not. If it had been, we'd never have to anticipate a horrific event like this ever happening again. But, there is more yet to come. My question is, when it comes, will we be any better at recognizing it?
***************************
Another train is coming. We've already begun to get on board. But, we still have a choice ...to join their one track mind and be railroaded, or to not be blinded by the oncoming train. There is another Light we can turn to. Yes, many are innocently naive. As the saying goes, "A newborn puppy knows no fear of a tiger." There is only one time when we will be truly safe. Isaiah 11:6, states, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid ..." But, until then, watch out for the lie ...and if you haven't already, let Christ dwell in your hearts.
Philippians, chapter 4: " ...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."
If you think the media is true, you think your right to do what you want is honorable, you think you can rethink what is right & wrong -----as it is no longer clear, you no longer keep your body or your life pure, you think all the make-up & immodest fashionable clothes make you lovely, you think that the report about new school curriculum is good, and that we can get excellent new data about the origin of our universe, and we can praise ourselves for these accomplishments ...then we need to seriously talk.
****************************
Friend: "So, what did you learn today?"
Student: "My Sociology class is very interesting. So much is happening all around us, it's difficult to take it in all at once."
Friend: "What do you think of the campus organization?"
Student: "The one you recommended to me?"
Friend: "Yes."
Student: "I really like it. I want to go on my first outing with them this weekend."
Friend: "When I went on my first outing, my parents were opposed to it, but they soon realized I am an adult and can do whatever I see fit to do."
Student: "My parents wouldn't understand either, but they don't really show much concern with what I do. They've been treating me like an adult, for the most part, since I turned thirteen."
Friend: "It's understandable why our parents don't trust any new ideas ...especially those ideas that help us get involved in better government. When our parents were growing up, the government couldn't be trusted. And they likely will be slow to accept anyone seeing a clear path from under those fears and biases."
Student: "I guess you're right. Trust is not usually something built up overnight."
Friend: "My parents are big skeptics about almost everything. They don't realize that by holding us back, they could be jeopardizing our world ...and our future."
Student: "That's why I want to get more involved. I want to be part of all this ...and I know together we can do this."
Friend: "Yes, when I talk to my parents, I just get discouraged. But when us young people all get together ...it generates hope. And I'm no longer afraid."
Student: "I know, that's the way I feel. Sure, these are scary times, but that's why we need to stick together. We can accomplish so much when we work together."
Friend: "You catch on fast! And you're right ...just like that fence we put up. I feel a lot more secure since we put up that fence. Too bad my parents are so insecure ...but it's worse than that. Sometimes it irks me how ungrateful they are. They should be thankful for all our work. That fence helps protect them too."
Student: "You're right about that! How can anyone doubt the organization's sincerity ...when they actually paid us for putting up the fence. You'd think my folks would be thankful. Dad has been out of work, and the money I brought home from that job ...well, let's just say, it really helped us get by. And it helped lots of other families too."
Friend: "You know, they are going to have you working again on this weekend outing. The pay is not great, but it's the best around these days. Maybe your folks will soften up a bit when they realize how valuable the organization is. It puts the food on your table ...and nowadays, that's no small thing."
****************************
The following week, the two meet again at the same restaurant.
****************************
Student: "You know, you were right. My folks did soften up a bit. Dad's always been sort of a prideful man. He can't get used to me being the one to help put food on the table. He figures that if I can work, he can too. He says that any organization that can help supply needs during difficult times, can't be all that bad."
Friend: "So, he's really coming around ...that's good to hear."
Student: "He even told me that if there's any job this weekend, he'd like to go along."
Friend: "It so happens that there's a job ...actually, a big job. Something we have to do to help secure our future. We have to do it quickly though ...before things get worse. There's actually been alot of parents coming around ...getting use to us. Sometimes it takes a while for the older people to trust ...and realize who their real friends are."
Student: "So, what about this weekend?"
Friend: "Well, on such short notice ...I don't really know. All I can do is try. It is a big project, but many of the parents signed on last weekend ...no offense, but your parents were rather on the slow side. Actually, we have more of a need for women at this time. Maybe you could bring your mom along with you. Your dad may have to wait a week ...two at the most."
Student: "Mom won't go anywhere without Dad."
Friend: "Well, bring them both along ...I'll see what I can do."
****************************
That weekend, the friend awaits the student and both his parents. Upon seeing them, he smiles.
***************************
Friend: "I told you I'd do my best. The organization was so excited by the overwhelming interest in the project, that they were able to secure this train for our transportation."
Student: "Great, now no one has to be turned away. By the way, what is the project for this weekend?"
Friend: "Oh, they will let us know all about it when we get there."
***************************
Once the train is filled to capacity, some of the passengers begin to sing. It had been a long time since so many families had gathered together for a common purpose.
This purpose ...few knew about, so they didn't try to escape. And probably only a few of you knew I was referring to the horrific event ...the Holocaust.
**************************
When it was too late to do anything about it ...all the people could do is imagine this was the dreaded time that they'd read about in the Book of Revelation ...End Times.
We know it was not. If it had been, we'd never have to anticipate a horrific event like this ever happening again. But, there is more yet to come. My question is, when it comes, will we be any better at recognizing it?
***************************
Another train is coming. We've already begun to get on board. But, we still have a choice ...to join their one track mind and be railroaded, or to not be blinded by the oncoming train. There is another Light we can turn to. Yes, many are innocently naive. As the saying goes, "A newborn puppy knows no fear of a tiger." There is only one time when we will be truly safe. Isaiah 11:6, states, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid ..." But, until then, watch out for the lie ...and if you haven't already, let Christ dwell in your hearts.
Philippians, chapter 4: " ...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."
If you think the media is true, you think your right to do what you want is honorable, you think you can rethink what is right & wrong -----as it is no longer clear, you no longer keep your body or your life pure, you think all the make-up & immodest fashionable clothes make you lovely, you think that the report about new school curriculum is good, and that we can get excellent new data about the origin of our universe, and we can praise ourselves for these accomplishments ...then we need to seriously talk.
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