CULTURE AT A LOSS

Woe unto them, that call evil good, and
good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20

Living where we do, a stone's throw from the national park, it isn't unusual for an alert to go out that someone has lost their way in the park during a hiking trip. There have been times when a child has wandered away and become lost. One thing that has been suggested to hikers, especially children or very inexperienced hikers, has been when one realizes he is lost, to stop where he is, sit down and wait for help to come. The tendency even when lost is, in a panic, to continue wandering hoping to see some place or some thing familiar. It can get where all trees look alike so that the lost one can wander almost aimlessly becoming more and more lost.

When lost in the daylight, that lost hiker still feels encouraged until evening begins to set in. When darkness falls, in a setting like ours here, there is real panic...there are shadows, strange sounds...even various animal sounds of those that wander through the forest at night foraging for food. The darkness becomes a serious enemy for one who is completely lost, who cannot focus or see anything clearly. The lost hiker is thrilled beyond words seeing the glow of a flashlight or hearing a call from a nearby rescue person.

Scripture speaks in several areas about darkness, mostly a spiritual darkness that we can become exposed to or even find ourselves in the very middle of. We live in a country of moral and spiritual darkness. It's a darkness that God hates, but that a good majority of Americans are choosing. There are even Christians finding themselves more exposed to a cultural darkness than ever before, some even succumbing to it.

The above verse speaks to where many in our country are with regard to morals and standards. Culture now tells us that good is no longer just good and evil is coming to be seen in more of a good and positive light. What used to be wrong behavior and lifestyles are now being rationalized as being acceptable. Things anymore aren't just black and white, but morals and standards are viewed as being more gray where people can decide for themselves what is good or evil. When this mentality sets in, in reality, a person has come into the realm in darkness and has fled the light God intends for each of us. Such folks find themselves lost in a darkness hard to get out of. Continuing to wander in it just takes them further into it
.

It's amazing to me how quickly a culture can change. I loved the era of the 1950's that spanned much of my education. Any comparisons between then and now are unbelievable. Back then there were standards that now are foreign to everyday folks. Many of us can recall:

School starting with the pledge to the American flag.
You didn't want to go to the principals office...he was usually a man of action.
There was a strong respect for police officers.
When committing a crime, one usually confessed and was in prison within a couple of weeks.
Boys didn't “like” boys and girls didn't “like” girls...if you know what I mean.
Babies were born boy or girl (still are) with nothing in between.
You went to church on Sunday with no discussion about it.
Parents were respected and “talking back” was dealt with.
The dress in high school then was better than what teens wear to church today.
A young person didn't have a car until able to purchase one.
You didn't know about the “birds and bees” in first grade.
Some teachers read Bible stories to their grade school classes.
History was taught in high school and each senior had to pass a test on the U. S. Constitution to graduate.
When a judge handed down a verdict, that was it. Can't recall appeals very much.
Two parent homes were the norm.
Kids played outside til dark or when the street lights came on.

Maybe some of these things are memories for most. My question is, “What happened?” I can recall honorable politicians, at least for the most part. If you had a TV, you got the local evening news with informative information..no drama. Somewhere our culture let a lot of really good things go. Electronics have played a huge part with TV's, computers, all sorts of phones, etc. in taking us places we never anticipated going.

Our country needs a good old sweeping revival in the worst of ways. We can't go back and change the past, but we can be a part of changing the future, one by one. First, we can live lives pleasing to the Lord. We need to take advantage of speaking for Jesus when we can. We must ourselves be in the Scriptures and bathe it all in prayer. If our country continues it's self destruction, I would hope you and I would be doing our part in it's “stay” of self execution.

Father, help us to be a doer of Your Word and not hearers only. As pleasant and some of our memories may be, there are children growing up now who will never know an innocence like America past. Keep us praying..keep us faithful. In Jesus precious name...Amen

MY HIDING PLACE

You are my hiding place;
You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs
of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7

Since I was a little girl, I loved hiding places. I didn't like playing “Hide and Go Seek” because then a person had to be found and returned to home base. My sister Kay and I shared a room since we were old enough to do so. Coming from Southern Illinois, a very active coal mining area, Kay and I came up with a hiding place, we referred to it as hiding in our coal mine. When lights went out at night, we would crawl to the foot of our bed with covers over us and huddle up into two different clumps, hiding in that place. My Mother always caught on and found us for some reason and we were admonished to get up in bed and go to sleep.

As I got older, I still loved hiding places. I didn't really have anything to hide from, but loving mysteries, the thought of hiding places always fascination for me. Any hiding place I ever made for myself seemed to be easily identified by a parent. It was still fun to try.

I thought for the longest time in my adulthood, I was the only one seeking a hiding place from the cares of this world until I came to know of Corrie ten Boom. She resided with her sister and father over her father's clock shop. He felt strong affinity with the Jewish people and detested the Nazi treatment of them. Their home was soon turned over to being a shelter for Jewish folks in danger of losing their lives. That wasn't good enough for the Nazi's for they could go into any home at that time, raiding it to find Jewish fugitives.

Because of relentless of the Nazi troops, a plan was devised for a hiding place even in their house of refuge. If a raid should occur, there was a secret hiding place where Jews could hide and not be found. It was behind a wall in Corrie's bedroom.

There are times in all our lives when we would love to have a hiding place...a place away from cultural influence, family problems, crashing finances, chronic health issues...a place of peace and quiet away from it all. Such a place isn't possible on this earth, even if one were to go to reside in a convent or monastery. One could flee to the mountains where there is no indication of society in any way, but even with that would be unrest and even guilt for forsaking everyone.

Psalm 32 is such a sweet Psalm of blessing and forgiveness. As David puts pen to scroll, he's aware that God IS his hiding place. It may not be a hiding place that can be found in a building, forest clearing, worship center or other physical places. David knew his hiding place in God wasn't so much a physical place (even though it could be should God provide such), but his hiding place was in a presence...the very presence of God Himself.

We don't have to run to a place to hide. That would involve time and distance. Our hiding place as it was for David is not a physical place. The thing for us to think about is that a hiding place isn't worth a thing if we don't choose to take advantage of it's warmth and safety. God's provision is different as we see in Psalm 91:1:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

We can look to the next few verses in Psalm 91 where the Psalmist refers to God as his refuge, fortress, deliverer and will cover with his feathers where we may rest comfortably under the shelter of His wings. No, these aren't physical places, but with God, He has ways of providing even physical places for us in times of need.

I see the key to my hiding place in God is to be found in the first five words of Ps. 91:1. .”HE WHO DWELLS IN THE SHELTER. We must choose God's protection and we do that through relationship with Him. The Psalmist is speaking of one who has made a choice to dwell. You and I can flop and flounder in our problems that may strike from any direction...finances, health, family difficulties, job loss and all the rest. We like to work on our own problems and when all else fails, we turn to God.

How much peace could we have if we would be so nestled under the wings of God, our hiding place, that He would be our first and main resource at any time. For evil to try to seek me out, it would have to look for me under the wings of my Father, my shelter....my Hiding Place.

Thank You my Father for being so much more in my life that I can even think of. I so take for granted all the wonderful ways You work in my life. Thank You for being my Hiding Place, and for the comfort of the warmth of Your presence under Your wings. In Jesus' name....Amen

MIND SET OF THE DAY

For the mind set on the flesh is death,
but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace
Romans 8:6 (NASB)

When in grade school, I remember struggling with the multiplication tables. They just looked like a hodge-podge of numbers that made no sense. To this day, I'm not sure but what I was right but have come to grips with the need for knowing them. I recall a teacher using a phrase I often heard my Grandma Benbrook use. My teacher's word of advice was: “Glendarae, you have to set your mind to it.” I knew what she meant because I had heard her use that saying if I was struggling with anything else at the time. Country folks often used that phrase so it came naturally in my grandma's vocabulary.

For several years now, I have loved Romans 8. It is filled with love, security and encouragement, all in abundance. Any Christians need those things from their Heavenly Father. Just as children need those things from their earthly parents, the need is even greater from their Heavenly parent.

However, there is much more to the chapter than warm words of affection. I've read this chapter over and over for several years, but it's only been in recent days, the Holy Spirit has stopped my reading at about verse 8. In the translation I am using, I came across a word that caught my attention. I saw from verses 5 through 7 the word “mindset” four different times.

Although I know in my mind what “mindset” means, I looked up a few sources for the definition of the word. I came to the conclusion that a mind set is just that...having set ones mind in an established way of thinking or reasoning. My mindset is my established thinking about anything. In that process, I've set my mind on any number of things that can be beneficial or can do damage to me in some way. Most of our struggles will be based in our minds.

There are those in Scripture who set their mind on some things, some good and some not so good. Solomon comes to mind in his beginning days of his reign when God wanted to grant him what he most wanted. Amazingly, Solomon chose wisdom. He speaks of it later in Ecclesiastes 1:13 where he say he set his mind to seek and explore wisdom.

The King in Daniel 6:14 set his mind on delivering David from the lions den. Jesus had to speak words of correction to Peter when Peter stepped a little out of bounds. In Matthew 6:23 Jesus told Peter he wasn't setting his mind on God's interests but mans.

For myself, much like those multiplication tables, I have decided if I am to be all for Jesus He wants of me that it's not going to happen unless I set my mind to do just that. The lazy, hazy days of spring and summer are upon us. Such days can be detrimental to maintaining a close walk with the Lord. During such days, there are many distractions that can pull our minds from one thing to another. If our minds aren't set with a spiritual determination to maintain consistency in our walk with the Lord, straying is very likely.

There are some things we should set our minds on in upcoming days of relaxation and different activities apart from the usual. We should maintain: regular Bible reading, times of prayer, church attendance (even on vacation), usual responsibilities whether at work or church, and other things we can do to enrich the lives of others as well as our own.

Among other Biblical persons mentioned above, next to Jesus, Paul probably had as strong of a spiritual mind set as anyone we can read about. He gave good advice to the people in Colossae when he said to them in chapter three, verse two:

Set your mind on the things above,

not on the things that are on earth.

May it be so for each of us as we determine to have our mind set on the things of God no matter the time of year, holiday's or in every day living...come rain or come shine.

Dear Father, I pray I will have the right loving mind set on spiritual things that would honor You in every way. Help me to keep focus on Your Word and on Your will. May I stay focused on the things that are important and that would please You. In Jesus precious name...Amen

CULTURE AT A LOSS

Woe unto them, that call evil good, and
good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20

Living where we do, a stone's throw from the national park, it isn't unusual for an alert to go out that someone has lost their way in the park during a hiking trip. There have been times when a child wandered away from parents and became lost. One thing that has been suggested to hikers, especially children or very inexperienced ones, has been that when one realizes he is lost, to stop where he is, sit down and wait for help to come. The tendency even when lost and in a panic is to continue wandering hoping to see some place or some thing familiar. It can get where all trees look alike so that the lost one can wander aimlessly becoming more and more lost.

When lost in the daylight, that lost hiker still feels encouraged until evening begins to set in. When darkness falls, in a setting like ours here, there is real panic...there are shadows, strange sounds...even various animal sounds of those that wander through the forest at night foraging for food. The darkness becomes a serious enemy for one who is completely lost, who cannot focus or see anything clearly. The lost hiker is thrilled beyond words seeing the glow of a flashlight or hearing a call from a nearing rescue person.

Scripture speaks in several area about darkness, mostly a spiritual darkness that we can become exposed to or even find ourselves in the very middle of. Should such happen in our own lives, the suggestions of the national park I think apply here. We need to stop wandering around trying to find answers that often aren't anywhere to be found. Most of us in those circumstances need to just sit down and quietly wait for the Lord to come and minister to our spirits. He will often do that as we refer to His guidebook.

The above verse speaks to where many in our country are with regard to morals and standards...good is no longer just good, and evil is coming to be seen in more of a good and positive light. What used to be wrong behavior and lifestyles are now being rationalized as being acceptable. Things anymore aren't just black and white, but morals and standards are viewed as being more gray where people can decide for themselves what is good or evil. When this mentality sets in, in reality, a person has come into the realm of darkness and has fled the light God intends for each of us.

Many of us can look back to days that were more civil, when authority was respected, where good character was evident in school rooms and in the halls of government. My question is, “What happened.” I can recall honorable politicians, at least for the most part. If you had a TV, you got the local evening news with informative information..no drama. Somewhere our culture let a lot of really good things go. Electronics have played a huge part with TV's, computers, all sorts of phones, etc. However, behind all of those things resides in the hearts of people to find their way, a way out of unhappiness and boredom.

I've decided that what our country needs a good old sweeping revival in the worst of ways. We can't go back and change the past, but we can be a part of changing the future, one by one. First, we can live lives pleasing to the Lord individually. The lives we live for Christ will say more to others than any sermons we preach. We need to take advantage of speaking for Jesus when we can. We must ourselves be in the Scriptures and bathe it all in prayer. If our country continues it's self destruction, I would hope you and I would be doing our part in it's “stay” of execution.

Father, help us to be a doer of Your Word and not hearers only. As pleasant as some of our memories may be, there are children growing up now who will never know any innocence in America. Keep us praying..keep us faithful. In Jesus precious name...Amen

BIG PLANS

For I know the plans that I have
for you, declares the Lord, plans for
welfare and not for calamity to give
you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and
come and pray to Me, and I will
listen to you
You will seek Me and find me
when you search for Me with all
your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NASB)

When most young couples find they are expecting their first baby, they begin planning. Even before the baby's birth, parents are still planning and not just for the nursery. Plans for that baby are wrapped up in dreams regarding the future of their child. Even into adulthood, parents have dreams for their children even when grown. It's when all of us reached the point of making our own plans and decisions we came up against some difficulties. Human speaking, there is NO perfect plan we can make on our own behalf or on behalf of another.

As I read in the Old Testament, it amazes me over and over as I see God's patience with His people. Their spiritual walk with Him always seemed to be for them at a peak or at the bottom of a sand dune. It's hard to be critical of them when we, too, push at the patience of God with our disappointing ways. God had to take drastic measures with His people even to the point of allowing them to go into exile, far away from their homeland just to get their attention.

God, however, didn't give up on His people and stuck to His promises regarded their future. By the way, His promises reach down to us this very day from that time and aren't we glad. In the timing of our above verses, God's people were returned to their land. They weren't to give up in times of hardship, but know that God had their best interest at heart for the duration.

Anyone who has raised children understands the disappointment when a child chose a way that spelled disaster in so many ways. The parents see the disaster coming and may beg, plead and pray for a change in the mind of that child, but it seems to no avail. I have known very few parents who have gone through such experiences, but who welcomed that child back to the fold when pieces of a life needed put back together. It seems God was always doing this for his people. At times, they were grateful while at other times, showed an ingratitude by returning to their idols and immoral living.

God spoke to His people in Jeremiah, again with hopes and dreams for their future. In His planning, He hoped to provide for their welfare and to provide a future and hope. That was the promise from their Sovereign God who could do anything on their behalf He chose.

God asked so little of them in this process. He asked them to come and call on Him and pray. He promised to always listen to their prayers. In this seeking process though, He required that they approach Him with their whole beings...their whole heart. He wanted a people with sincerity to respect Him, their Heavenly Father, to never have a frivolous attitude in their attitude or approach to Him.

God desires the very same of each of us. There have been times I have been in a distant place from God. Many of us have had times in our lives when God had to put some pieces back together with his “love putty.” We can't accept this loving help wanting just a reprieve from the world. He seeks our sincerity not our self interest. He will settle for nothing less than our complete devotion.

Today, God hasn't changed, nor His promises. He is always looking out for our best interest because of a love for us we can never fathom. When God says He has plans, we've come to know He has plans for us that cannot be comprehended and that are rarely appreciated. Some people promise us outlandish things we know can't come to be, but not with God. When He promises our welfare, hope and future, all can be accepted as fact.

Mans plans and efforts at self direction will always be second best, or even lower than that. We might find a temporary satisfaction in seeking our own way. In the end, our plans will never fully satisfy. God already has our plans made in every area of our lives. He not only has made the plans for you and me but also sends His agents to aid us with the details. In the end, God's way will always be the best way. We are told He is available to talk things over with us at any time. With His guiding hand, listening ear and heart of love, how can we go wrong?

Thank You Father for knowing us so well and knowing what is best for us in every area of our lives. Keep us close to You and open to Your will and way for our lives. Thank You for loving us despite our erring ways. Thank You for Jesus. In whose name I pray...Amen