A way out

A way out

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Some time ago I came across a book written by John B. Harrington published in 1958. Entitled “Essentials in Christian Faith it could have been written yesterday.

It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948. It states,

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that “...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4

If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than it was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.

  But there is away out of that lake. Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

Are you willing to cast your burdens upon Jesus?

Please think about it.

We are grass

  We are all grass

    "A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8.

We are fragile even if we are in good health are bodies are fragile. A simple fall as we walk along the road can kill us.

All of our institutions everything man has created is fragile. Just take a look Pompeii everything gone in an instant when a volcano erupted. The grandeur of one of the greatest civilizations in history, Rome. Nothing more than ruins. 

Governments and institutions of every kind have faded into obscurity.

Yet through it all God’s word is still standing.

Also still there the call to people everywhere that God loves them. Jesus speaking of Himself saying,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

Have you put your trust in God? Do you believe Jesus when he said,

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6?

Please think about it.

Doomed?

  Doomed?

The Psalmist states,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                  Psalm 19:1

The Bible doesn’t debate that God exists. It was written to believers and believers need no convincing. It does however as seen here in Psalm 19:1 point to the handiwork of God within creation.

For me the acknowledgement of God and the fact He will judge each person in this world is the glue that keeps our society secure from the morass of anarchy.

God set in the heart of each person what is right and what is wrong. While at the same time giving them a freewill to do as they wish.

As someone has said, “God did not make robots. He wants people to worship Him and follow His rules for living, because they choose to do so. Not because they are forced.” 

There is however consequences for not acknowledging God and His laws.

Abba Hillel Silver wrote,

"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.

 When individuals or society fail to acknowledge God individuals suffer the consequences. We only have to look at Nazi Germany during the 1930's and the second world war to see what can happen. Millions of people murdered because political leaders were allowed to ignore the basic human rights God set upon each persons heart.

The world today in 2022 needs God whether people wish to believe it or not. For if we don’t those who fail to acknowledge God are doomed to Godless eternity.

Please think about it.

The Bulwark

The Bulwark
The Psalmist writes,

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations." 

                                                                                Psalm 100

The Bible is written to believers. It therefor does not debate the existence of God. Believers know that God exists. Believers also recognize that there is a need for God within our society.
Abba Hillel Silver at the height of world war two wrote,
"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.
Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.
History has shown us that when people turn from the basic principles God has laid down for mankind society suffers. We only have to look at world war two to see this. Hitler and his henchmen had no fear of God. They turned away from God and lived by their own rules. The result was world war two, the worst conflict in human history with upwards of 60,000,000 men, women, and children killed senselessly.
The same thing is happening today. There are nations around the world that do not recognize God or His moral code. They say that say they are free yet persecute, imprison or murder, not only Christians but anyone that disagrees with them. There are many terrorist groups around the world that are murdering people. Some even having the audacity to say they are doing it in the name of God.
That being said on the streets of the cities of western democracies there are men and women murdering others daily. Men and women who do recognize God or the moral code He has laid down.
The murdering aside. There are many more things happening that are against God’s laws.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—”2 Timothy 3:1-4.
This is happening today and society is the worse for it.
As a believer in Christ Jesus I believe it is the obligation of every Christian to present the gospel message of unconditional love to all people. For I believe it is this message and this message alone that can change people for the better.
Please think about it.

Hell in a Handbarrow

Hell in a Handbarrow
Some time ago I came across a book by John B. Harrington called Essentials in Christian Faith published in 1958. After reading it I realized it could have been written yesterday, it’s message was,... is, that relevant.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico published in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
   “A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
   Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that    "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
   Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. 
Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage.”
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
This is happening today.
As I look around the world today it is easy to look a the various terrorist groups who claim to be acting in the name of their faith when they are not. They are simply evil men who attach religious names to themselves to try an justify what they are doing.
The same is true for many politicians and others here in the west. While they espouse “Christian values” their words and deeds show they do not.
At the same time there are many men and women calling themselves Christian pastors, evangelist, who are not. This is true also for many who sit in the pews.
Jesus warned of us about such people saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”Matthew 7:21-23.
As believers in Christ Jesus it is incumbent on us to show the world there is rest for their weary soul. That there is something beyond this world and the materialism there in. As Gallico puts it, “Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position...”
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
This is the message we as believers in Christ Jesus must reach out to the world with. For if we don’t we just may condemn someone to a Christless eternity.
Please think about it.

In Microcosm

In Microcosm
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”Luke 32-43.
The above is Luke’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus. Here we see in microcosm society.
First of all not present were the disciples of Jesus. Who feared what was happening and left him to his fate.
They after his resurrection and ascension would finally put all the events of Jesus life into perspective and go on to evangelize their world. A process that is going on to this very day.
Secondly, there was the crowds who did nothing to help Jesus, nor speak in His defence.
Then there was the Roman soldiers doing what they were told to do. They had beaten Jesus mercilessly and crucified him on the order of the Roman governor. They as the say, were carrying out orders it seems without any pity.
There was the Roman governor who had found no fault with Jesus. The Roman governor a gentile, a non-Jews who could have refused to execute Jesus yet for political expediency didn’t.
Then there was the Jewish religious leaders of the day, who sneered at him. And said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”
Thy too could have believed Jesus was all He said He was and prevented His death. Yet they chose not too. They instead seemed to see Jesus as a threat to their authority.
Then there were two criminals who by their actions showed how we get to heaven. One denied who Jesus was. He wanted Jesus to show who he was by getting himself and them down from the cross. The criminal even at the hour of his death refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah. This man didn’t it seems even fear God, into who’s presence he would shortly enter.
The second criminal believed Jesus was all he said he was. He believed Jesus was dying innocently. This man confessed his sin to Jesus to which Jesus said,
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The other two who were at the crucifixion were Jesus God the Father and Jesus. Jesus who on the night before his crucifixion prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  
Luke 22:42.
Jesus knew his fate and was committed to doing the will of God the Father.
On that cross, that day hung the very Son of God who was dying for our sins.
Jesus speaking of Himself tells us why when He said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
I firmly believe all people in our society today can look at the crucifixion and find themselves in one of those groups.
To many today however the words of the Apostle Paul ring true,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
Please think about it.

Hope

Hope

In a book called "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.
  It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
  Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that    "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
If Paul Gallico is right, and I believe he is. Mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
When Paul Gallico wrote his article the world the world was still reeling from world war two, the worst war in human history in which 56,000,000 plus people military and civilian died. 11,000,000 plus in Nazi death camps 6,000,000 plus Jews alone. Killed for simply being who they were.
Paul Gallico could not have even begun to see what the rest of the twentieth century and the first decades of the twenty-first century would be like.
The numbers may not be on the industrial scale of world war two but daily around the world innocent people are dying at the hands of terrorist.
People are being murdered in the streets of our cities by people who are not worried about the consequences of their actions. Crime around the world is rampant. And while crime in many areas may be down, the fact is man with all his laws and punishments has not been able to stop it.
The fact is all the laws and punishments for crime will not stop people who do not fear the law.
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
Particularly it seem since the second world war with the rise of consumerism and materialism, western society has turned away from God.
I was born, in England two years prior to the first satellite going into space. You got your news from the News paper, Radio or a black and white television. Music was played on record players. If you wanted to record anything you got a reel to reel tape recorder. Telephones were attached to the wall and used a rotary dial. My parents never used a credit card.
The big purchase in my teens after we moved to Canada, was a stereophonic record player about five feet long and two feet deep that cost me I think fifty dollars.
At the time the record player was a big thing. But I never remember advertisements telling me I “really, really needed it”. Although there probably were.
In today’s society we are bombarded in the media with adds telling us we need the “latest greatest gadget”. That we have to be connected. A simple cell phone is not enough we have to have a smart phone that is more computer than phone. We must have it so we can chase imaginary creatures around our city and town. Not to mention broadcast our every move to the world.
Life today is fast paced and God has it seems been left out. Materialism is the new God within our society. It seems our youth in particular can name more factitious characters in a video game than they can books of the bible.
Morality in the first part of the twenty-first century at least seems to be changing. As a now sixty-two year old observer or our society I have seen our society change.
My fathers generation sent its teens and those in their mid twenties to fight a war against the evil that was Nazism. Today it seems there are many teens and twenty something’s that are disillusioned with our western society and choosing to join the forces of evil.
My generation seems to be the link between the two groups. True my generation has seen little wars but my generation ushered in our materialistic society. A society that has put less and less faith in God.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
Today that bulwark, that defensive wall is being broken down. People no longer recognize God let alone have faith in him. Sadly as that faith fails I believe society will ultimately fail.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
Unfortunately this is a message lost, it seems in this generation, not just in North America but around the world. There is however I believe hope. That hope is Jesus.
The message of Jesus of Love for God, ones neighbours and even ones enemies is as relevant today as it was when he walked the earth. This is the hope I believe Paul Gallico was looking for sixty-eight years ago.
To my mind Jesus is the only hope for mankind today. His call of,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Is for today. Is the answer to those who see no hope in today’s society.
Please think about it.

A Common Truth

A Common truth
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”Albert Einstein.
While man might think of himself as civilized he is not. Around the world and particularly in the so called third world many people live in squalid conditions. Many have little or no access to medical care. Still more go hungry and even starve when globally the world is able to feed everyone.
The so called first world, the western democracies also have people who go hungry. While most western democracies other than the United States have good universal health care. There are still people who live in poor neighbourhoods. Who live in ghettos where hope is diminished.
In perhaps the richest country in the world the United States millions lack access to health care. Even in countries with universal health care there are things lacking and peoples needs are not met.
This should not be. Food, housing and healthcare are basic human rights not commodities. To make profit on. There are many other things that people can make a profit on without doing so on food, housing and healthcare.
In a civilized society people help their fellow man and People of faith should be leading the way.
The half brother of Jesus, James gives makes a statement that all people be they of faith or atheist I think can agree on when he says,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
We are our brothers keeper. It is the right thing to help those who are struggling who are in need.
The Talmud makes an interesting point when it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” The Talmud
I believe the more power you have the greater your ability to do what is right for your fellow man.
As a believer in God and a believer in  Christ, I believe the writer of Ecclesiastes who said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
God will one day judge you. He will hold you to account as to how you treated those around you. Especially those in need you could have helped, even if in just a small way.
You may get away with dealing less than honourably with your fellow man here on earth but one day you will be called to judgement.
Please think about it.

The Need

The Need
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
‘Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”Abba Hillel Silver.
I for one believe there is a God. I believe it for many reasons but one is that in order for man to have survived he had to have a common sense of values. If for example one group believe in the sanctity of life and refused to take life and another thought nothing of taking life. There is the potential for man to drive himself to extinction.
I can’t believe primitive man suddenly convened a global conference and etched out a set of common human rights.
I believe God wrote into man’s heart the common values that all people around the globe believe in today.
I also see God’s handy work in the world around me. Everything is build in such away as to make it possible for life to exist as we know it on this earth. I cannot believe this is by chance.
Mathematics is showing there is a link to everything from the greatest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particle.
As the Psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1
The Psalmist also states,
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”Psalm 111:10.
It is only when man realizes there is a God to answer to that he will act in a right manner toward their fellow man.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
We only have to look at Hitler and his henchmen who killed millions in his death camps and a war that cost in excess of 56,000,000 lives.
Terrorist today have no fear of God’s wrath and are killing thousands if not millions.
On a lesser scale in our cities around the world there are those who would murder and steal irrespective of man’s laws and the threat of punishment.
What our society needs is to turn back to God. For it is only by trusting and following His laws that society will be made a better place.
Please think about it.

"Headed to Hell?"

Headed to Hell?
My wife at one time was a librarian and to say she has a few books is an understatement. The walls of our house are lined with books.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
   It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... 
For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency  courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 
                                                                                                         2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with fire and brimstone.
   We only have to look around us to see the world is filled with people who are out to feed their lusts. Men and women who seek power no matter the cost.
We look to the terrorist of the world who wish to force their ideologies on people. Who seek power by the sword.
There are also such people within the western world. Men and women who use their power and influence to feed their greed.
While there are many super rich and others of wealth that have pledged to help the poor. There are many, many more that are using the poor and weak of our society to fill their pockets.
Many owners of industry have refused to think about the environment or worker safety until laws were passed forcing them to think about it.
Our society has fallen away from God and the further it falls the worse it gets. Man needs God. Man needs to realize that there is ultimately a God to answer too.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
 Until all men realize there is a God to answer to however our world is destined to get a lot worse.
I truly believe the answer to the worlds problems lies in having faith in God and following his precepts who Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                         Matthew 11:28-30.
Please think about it.

Not Until

Not until
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
                                                                                                                 Albert Einstein.
Man calls himself civilized but is far from it. The twentieth century began in the middle of the Boer War and proceeded to see two world wars, along with it seems hundreds of small wars. Some historians have said more people have died in the twentieth century due to war than in all the other centuries combined. And it seems like the twenty-first century is starting where the last one left off.
Now while it is true war is causing the death and suffering of millions in the world today. Millions more are suffering, dying and are in need in every country in the world today whether they are at war or not.
Throughout the third world men women and children are dying from curable illnesses and starvation.
In the western democracies with all their wealth there are still people living on the streets. Living well below the poverty line.
In the United States millions are without affordable health care despite the affordable health care act.
In Canada people have to choose between paying rent or utility bills and putting food in the mouth of their Children.
The sad thing is with the right political initiative people could get affordable health care. People need not choose between bills and food. Those living on the streets could be housed and given the help they need.
The trouble is politicians don’t have the motivation to end it. The poor after all don’t contribute to their political campaigns. While corporations can get billions in bail outs the poor are given a subsistence living.
There’s an election campaign going on in the United States. The politicians are saying many fine things, as all politicians do in every country in the world when they want to be elected.
The question however I would ask of all politicians anywhere in the world is are you obeying the words of Jesus who gave us a universal truth we all should live by when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
           Matthew 7:12.
In other words if you have a good health care plan, enough food to eat and a good place to live are you willing to use your place of power and influence to give that to every citizen of your country.
The Talmud makes an interesting statement I believe we all should be doing especially politicians. The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                                                 The Talmud
   Both individuals and politicians of every stripe need to be asking themselves are you doing to others as you would like others do to you?
Please think about it.

A thought for the 21st Century

A thought for the 21st Century

We live in a world that is becoming a violent place. The rise of terrorist groups in the world is just the tip of the iceberg.
Violent crime is everywhere in the world. Here in North America alone thousands die due to violence of all types every year.
Morality it seems is slipping away. People have no fear of the consequences. I listened to a news report about the trial of a man who had killed three RCMP officers. The man said it seems rather matter o factly that he simply wanted to kill police. From what I heard there was no real emotion from the man. He just did what he did.
I’ve heard other similar stories over the years of people who have simply killed because they simply wanted to do so.
Young people are picking up guns and killing other youth simply because the person said the wrong thing, was in the wrong gang, or even something as simple as accidentally bumping into them.
The world in general is becoming a harsher place to live.
Here in North America, Canada and the United States where I live I see the influence of Christianity waning and with it the morals of our society.
I came up through the “do your own thing” days of the sixties and seventies. A time when the values of society were being questioned.
Supposedly in the psychedelic sixties my generation was disillusioned the society of our parents. Yet what we have put in it’s place is no better and if anything worse.
Secular humanism mixed with materialism in all its forms has slowly taken over morality as we use to know it is slowly disappearing if it has not gone already.
I do know there is an alternative to our modern society however and that is following Jesus.
Christianity offers moral absolutes that are relevant and right for today.
Jesus had rightly been called the prince of peace. He has said when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus however goes one step further saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew 5: 43-45 
Whether you believe in God or not. No matter what you think of Jesus the words he spoke are truth. They are words that are relevant for today.
Words and ideas we should be teaching to our children and practising ourselves.
Think about it.

Rethink

Rethink

As I write this it is October 28th 2014. Sadly I watched the funeral of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo the soldier murdered while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
This man was proud to be a Canadian and serve his country. Our prayers go out to his family.
The man that killed him was nothing more than a hate filled misguided evil man.
What causes a man to do such a thing?
Chedly Belkhodja, principal of Concordia University’s School of Community and Public Affairs states,
“Radical Islamic groups can appeal both to lonely lost souls and Muslims in Western countries who feel excluded and marginalised,... A lot of young people can be an easy prey,” 
Studies by John Horgan seems to agree.
John Horgan, is a psychologist and professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Centre for Terrorism and Security Studies.
He notes foreign fighters are drawn to join ISIS by the need to “belong to something special.”
They want to find something meaningful for their life,” he said. “Some are thrill seeking, some are seeking redemption.”
Max Abrahms, also an expert on terrorism, from Northeastern University notes that from most of the terrorism research available,  those who join terrorist groups like ISIS are the most "ignorant people with respect to religion and they are generally the newest members to the religion.... They would probably fail the most basic test on Islam,"
Sadly a lot of negative things have been done in the name of religion. I remember the IRA and UDA in Northern Ireland. They called themselves Catholics and Protestants even calling themselves Christians, but by any stretch of the imagination these people were not Christian. They simply used the name. These people were in reality people who wished to stay united with England and those who wished to separate.
Their fight was fuelled by prejudges and hate built up over centuries.
Were they truly Christian they would not have been fighting. They would have obeyed the words of Christ,
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
                                Matthew5: 43-45 
They would have followed the teachings of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone....
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”   
                                                   Romans 12:18,20,21.
Whether you believe there is a God or not you cannot deny that such ideals as are expressed by Jesus and the Apostle Paul are good ideals.
Precepts that if followed would make the world a better place.
Sadly society particularly in the west is slipping away from God yet they have no substitute. Atheism and Materialism do not fill the void that many people have inside of them.
In today’s society it seems that if you do not fit into a box society has built, if you are different in any way like many of those who turn to groups like ISIS are, then you are rejected quite often by those around you. You become an outsider.
So is it any wonder when some group comes along offering inclusion and purpose  that seems good, young men and women head for it.
I am old enough to remember James Jones and the Jones town mass suicide of the late seventies.
A young charismatic man claiming to be Christian convinced a very large number of people to follow him down to the jungles of South America where they committed mass suicide.
This man like ISIS offered his followers a sense of belonging and purpose only to lead them to their deaths.
Our society is failing. Tough new laws can help protect people. Perhaps even preempt a terrorist strike but laws cannot change thoughts.
Only a social rethink can do that.
I as a Christian know Christ can change lives. Can offer a sense of belonging to the disenfranchised.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus is truly the answer to changing lives. I know because he changed mine and those of my friends and family.
He can change yours.
Think about it.