AUGUST 2010 EDITION - CHRIST - THE REESESOURCE

I don’t know about you, but I have developed a love-hate relationship with technology!

Smart phones make you feel dumb. Computers become obsolete before you get them unpacked from the box. Computer programs that are designed to make life simpler end up driving you crazy because you mistyped (or should I say miskeyboarded) one letter or number or you had on black socks that day instead of blue ones! Who knows? Don’t get me started on D.V.R.’s that require a Ph.D. to operate. Battery dies on your car. You must have a secret code to get the radio operational again. Where do you get the secret code?
If it is not on the glove compartment wall, then you have to take the radio out and find the serial number. Did you ever try taking a radio out on a late model car? Good luck to you!
You have to practically dismantle the entire front end. E book, I Pod, I Phone, I Pad, I.T., I Give!

How did we ever survive without all the technological marvels we enjoy today? Do you remember when the pay phone was the lifeline for those of us who were in the field as salesmen? “Snail mail” was the only option. Face-to-face conversations (What a concept!) had not yet given way to texting and e-mails. The temptation of pornography was often forestalled by actually having to walk into a store and take it to the counter to pay for it, unlike now, where it can be accessed in seconds in the privacy of your home. Identity theft rarely occurred. The internet has made the world a smaller but, in some ways, a more dangerous place. Predators roam the internet searching for victims.

Do I want to go back to the “good old days”? Not on your life! I like my laborsaving devices and fun gadgets. There are things, however, that I do miss, though about the good old days. Those things are not related directly to the lack of the advancements in technology that we enjoy today. Rather, it is the apparent disregard for the things that made us a more civil society. I think of things such as manners and morals, values, and standards. I know things were not much better back then. There was not an open endorsement of things that are wrong. In another area of civility, I would ask, “Whatever happened to pants with knife edge creases, shirts that were pressed and tucked into your pants, and shined shoes?” I understand that it is a matter of style, but the lack of these things communicate that one doesn’t care about one’s appearance. What happened to
holding a chair for a woman, standing when a woman enters a room, opening a door for her? One rarely hears a “Yes, ma’am” or a “No, sir” It is “yeah” or “uh, un”! Where are the words, “Please” and “Thank You”? Does anyone write handwritten “Thank You” notes anymore? Do people ever promptly respond to R.S.V.P. ( or respond at all)?

I may be rambling on a bit, I realize, but I lament the coarsening of our culture. From where does this decline stem? I believe it comes from failing to take seriously the wisdom and charges given us in the Bible. (No, I don’t think the Bible says anything about knife-edge creases in pants.)

Let me give just a few illustrations of what I am speaking:

Phillipians 2:3,4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others.” Think of what a difference that would make in our culture!

Think of the ramifications on our society of following the admonition of Scripture found in II Thessalonians 3:10, “If a man will not work (if he is able is implied), he will not eat.”

“Men love your wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.”
(Ephesians 5:25) Think of the effect this would have on marriages!

“Clothe yourself with humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12, 13) This would have a great impact on interpersonal relationships.

Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be seasoned with grace, seasoned with salt, that you would know how you would answer each one.” This verse is referring to speaking to others who do not have a personal relationship with Christ. This would make a tremendous a difference in evangelism.

Can we go back to a more civil time? I think so. We can if we will truly seek more and more to be guided by Scripture and less by the whims of a fickle culture.

Can we go back to pressed pants and shiny shoes? Maybe not, but I am not giving up my spit-shined Weejuns.

MINISTRY NEWS:

I need your help! Due to the extended downturn in the economy and other factors, our contributions have fallen to a critical level. In June and July, we were able to take a partial paycheck and now in August, we will not receive a paycheck at all.

In December, I will be eligible for Medicare and in January, Peggy will be eligible. Our health insurance premiums currently are $17,000.00 per year. That is with a $5,000.00 deductible! Obviously, Medicare and a Medicare supplement will reduce that expense drastically, if we can hang on that long.

I dislike crisis letters from ministries and would like to have avoided writing this, but the situation is critical.

Thanks for your understanding and prayers.