Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Turn to God, First - January 7, 2009

Good Wednesday morning! The light of Jesus shines on you and me on this day. I began reading a couple of books about God's plan for America in the times of the European migrations. We often tend to think that tough people got through the tough times to build this nation. In a way they did, but that way was not what most of us were taught. The way those people sought when times became hostile was of course, the Way. The authors found that when people turned to Jesus, or in many cases turned back to Jesus, the nation prospered and grew. As we read daily of more bad news in the economy, I cannot help but think that there are two ways our nation can go. The nation can continue to believe in the things of this world and eventually become another failed empire in the history books, or we can repent as a nation, turn to God and return to growth and prosperity. The view might seem simplistic to the intellectuals of the world, but history does tell this story. As for me, I am waiting to see the revival start! God has a plan for America and each of us has a part to play in it.

One way to get this revival going is an outpouring of our own spiritual gifts. Speaking, preaching, serving, giving, writing... whatever your gift the time has come to go forth. The country needs us to point the way to the Way. The time has come for another Great Awakening in our history!

Since I am in a historical motif today, does it seem like companies are no longer willing to weather the storm? Back in the day it seemed like tough times were storms to be weathered. Companies battened the hatches and took in the sails so to speak. Jettisoning the cargo was only a last resort. However, today it seems that at the first sign of a storm the modern corporation starts jettisoning the crew. The cargo is saved to outfit the corporate officer's lifeboats. Perhaps I don't have enough evidence to make this observation, but we are not seeing the loyalty to employees that we once expected in corporate America. I have heard more than once from those most recently hired expecting to be laid off first, but it is the long term, loyal employees of many years service who are being laid off first. Of course, laid off is the wrong term as that is for those who might get called back. Today, the term position elimination is more common and means that the company doesn't want you back, not even when the economy gets better. Sad...

In the prayer requests you will see why I am on this soapbox one more time. When something bad happens to me, I tend to go through other emotions before arriving at the anger part. When the bad thing happens to someone else, it seems easier and faster to arrive at anger. However, we know that in either case, our first need is to turn to God for comfort and understanding. We may never understand why some things happen to us or our loved ones, but trust in God is something we must commit to daily.

Jesus is precious to me. His love will lead me through the dark times.

Bucky

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