Going Nowhere Fast

Every week starts with Sunday. That's where you become grounded for the next six days.

My Father-in-law told the story (on more than one occasion) of his father on one Sunday heading out to the field. I think it was to mow hay perhaps.

Setting the story a bit here, this was back in the early 1900's when church was still important, and many still kept the 'Sabbath'. That meant they didn't work on Sunday. Period.

So, his dad is heading out to do some farm work on a Sunday. I'm sure his dad had a team of horses, so it wouldn't have been like a noisy loud tractor.

However, he got out to the field and turned around and came back in. He said he was sure everyone in the entire neighborhood could hear him out there.

Conscience. 1 Timothy 4:2 "through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron..."

Sunday. My father-in-law carried through the practice of not doing farm work other than caring for the animals, on Sunday.

We as well maintain Sunday as a day of rest, as it were, for worship, family, and friends. We try not to use the services of others that would require someone else to work as well.

I say try, because there are times we pick things up at the store on the way home from church. Sometimes we have to get fuel, and I usually get my once a week fountain soda.

Back when I was a youngster all businesses closed on Sunday. I believe it was back in the late '70's early 1980's when a few stores began opening, maybe a Wal Mart or that type of store.

Before that we planned ahead or borrowed from a neighbor if it was a necessity and that was fine. When I have to have something it is convenient to have a store open, but convenient is a necessity, and everyone ought to have the option to have the day for worship, family and friends.

People I know often lament the passing of something, but they may not know exactly what.

I think it's the loss of innocence.

We are bombarded with evil daily. This happens so much and to such a degree we become like the frog in the water. *If you set a frog in a pan of cool water and begin heating the water slowly, the frog will not notice it. You can increase the heat slow enough until you boil the frog and he will just sit there.

And that's how our conscience becomes seared until we no longer feel or notice sin. To change things takes courage and discernment.

We become accustomed to the way things are. But the way things are isn't good. It is important for ourselves and our future generations that things change.

True Christianity has been an agent for changing society into a much better world. It has been the true light. Our American culture was founded on the Christian principles found in Biblical scriptures.

On occasion I scratch my head in wonder at people that rail against Christianity. What is it they don't like about, 'thou shalt not kill? thou shalt not steal? thou shalt not lie (bear false witness)?

I know that's only three, but not any of the ten commandments are horrible constraints. What about love thy neighbor and do good unto others, as you would have them do unto you?

Seriously, what's wrong here? I know there are other things of self-discipline that are hard, and yes, people don't like to be told what they should and shouldn't do, but...

Leviticus 18:3 "After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do; neither shall ye walk in their statutes."

Leviticus 18:30 "Therefore shall ye keep my charge, that ye practice not any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am Jehovah your God."

Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2) Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), 3) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."