Back in the 1980’s, smoking was a socially acceptable practice. My high school offered smoking courts during breaks and lunch for students to get their nicotine craving for the day. Sure, ruining a shirt from a flicked cigarette or being overwhelmed by smoke was a drag, but not the end of the world. To discourage this behavior, politicians passed a tobacco tax to penalize anyone who smoked. When this didn’t greatly reduce smoking, cities, states and townships introduced legislation to ban smoking from downtown areas. For those who haven’t kicked this habit, society has turned on its own.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20
While driving home from church last Sunday, my wife and I were talking about drinking habits in our families growing up. Alcohol was a common site, scotch on the rocks, a glass of wine or mixed drinks in a liquor cabinet. Drinking was a form of relaxation after a hard day of work. As a naïve teenager, I didn’t think anything of this typical behavior. Unfortunately, not every family has happy endings. Some adults have become alcoholics, others influenced by the spirit of alcohol to become abusive with others leaning on drinking to kill their pain. The habits of my parents generation are now frowned upon despite similar patterns that exist today.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me, Psalm 23:4.
Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in America in the 1960’s. King’s bold stance ultimately led to his tragic death by James Earl Ray. Yet, King’s dream was to see a day in America when citizens were no longer judged by the color of their skin. Rather, King’s vision was that people would be judged by the content of their character. Unfortunately, the progressive movement has ruined any chance of this becoming reality. Today, right and wrong is being based upon your political beliefs. Those that don’t accept, bow down to and practice progressive thinking are being defamed one at a time. When society turns on his own, the best course of action is leaning on and trusting in Jesus. The Lord will get you through these trying times no matter how difficult it becomes.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 