April 17: AT THE CORE, WHAT?

Something is dreadfully wrong at the heart of our country and I’m not talking about the Stock Market or the GNP. I’m talking about the record tonnage of marijuana being brought into this country from Afghanistan. I’m talking about record amounts of cocaine coming here from South America. I’m talking about record consumption of every kind of alcoholic drink that we distill. Clearly, there are many miserable people who can’t stand their miserable lives without something to kill the pain. Like ancient Rome, non-stop partying in a frantic desire to be happy describes us. Never mind the fact that we can’t build jails and mental hospitals fast enough to house the broken lives.
Do I sound like a Prophet of Doom? Or a Party Pooper? Or a Dr. Kill-joy? I don’t want to be, I just want to sound a realistic wake-up call! What is this great “escapism” all about? What is the reality that millions are trying to avoid? Is it God? In the “mannishness of man” spirit are we Americans trying to show God that we can make it on our own?
Hear Acts 17:30-31a “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed.” That’s our reality! Listen to Matthew 23:37 (NIV) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, (substitute ‘America’) you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Isn’t that a tender picture?
God offers the forgiveness of your sins and the fruit of that being a clear conscience so you don’t have to run from yourself. His grace will enable you to face life as a “real person”. You don’t need a depressant or a “downer” to make you “artificially happy” or able to relax around people. Quit using man-made crutches. Live abundantly! (John 10:10)

“Creator God, you know us inside and out. You know that man’s heart
was to be reserved for His creator as a place of peace and contentment. Amen”