I meant to stay in touch but my texting feature is fractured.

Hello out there in the network connectivity world. It is Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Based on what the children were asking for Christmas, I can tell you that we live in a technology driven world. I would ask what in the world a six or seven year old would need with a laptop but I don't think it really matters because they are wanting that along with smart phones along with all kinds of other electronic gadgets with no end in sight. A few, and only a few, wanted things like a baby doll or a choo choo train. That was refreshing but unusual because most of the time there was a brand name or buzz word associated with the gift they were dreaming about. And, why should we be surprised? Watch some of those so called kids' channels and they are literally saturated with glitzy adds for all kinds of toys. I could really see the grimace on mom and dad's faces when the child they are grooming to be clued in to all things non violent asked for a Nerf Bazooka so he can blast away at his playmates. So much for all that happy talk. They might want to check in on some of those programs he is watching because most of these hot toys are being hyped every few seconds. Don't get me wrong. Some actually were interested in things like science labs or the electronic book devices. I think those were mostly girls. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I could not believe how early little boys learn to say the words MONSTER TRUCK. Maybe they are being prepared for doing battle out on the highways and byways that surround the metroplex.

Where is former President Jimmy Carter when you need him? He would be perfect to reflect the sentiment of the American public right now. In his infamous 'malaise speech' in 1979, President Carter pretty much erased the entire nation's hope for anything good, anytime soon. The hostage crisis, the oil embargo, the dire economic circumstances made for a pretty difficult mess and folks who were already depressed became even more so after this speech. Today our nation's polls indicate a people who are beginning to have a sense of hopelessness in terms of who and what can make an impact for a positive turnaround and recovery to any sense of well being. The American people are increasingly shown to be losing faith in the political institutions that are in place to deal with issues like the economy. We have lost confidence as more and more struggle but are unable to make ends meet. People don't see anyone they believe that can help. In a Pew Forum study of religion in America completed in 2008, it showed that some 78% identify themselves as being Christian. This included all the Protestant branches of belief. I don't know what the true number is of those who have actually placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, those born again by the power of God, but I do know this: If God's people will begin to be the people we are called to be, and if we will return to Him, and call upon Him, He will hear and He will respond. That's a hope we can believe in and as we do this it will change America and I pray that it will happen soon. Amen.

I remember a few years ago doing some research into what it means to view work and paid employment from a Biblical perspective. There's more information available on this subject than you may think. (The Bible itself, for instance.) One writer pointed out that when God created Adam He actually gave him work to do in tending to paradise. Therefore, work was a part of God's original plan. God even allowed Adam the privilege of participating in His work when He invited him to name the animals. Adam and Eve together cooperated in the work God had ordained for them. Then came the fall. In the previous state of perfection work was accomplished without tiredness, fatigue, pain or difficulties. After the fall everything changed. It became rigorous and painful. Now the master of deceit, Satan, he wants every person to struggle greatly with their tasks, labor, jobs, and work. He wants us to live lives of frustration, characterized by hopelessness which will lead us to choose his sinful escapes. God, on the other hand, calls us to live out our joy in the work we have been provided. For believers, it is the 100% solution. We are 100% saved. And, we are 100% a child of God, at home, when we are at Church, and in the workplace. Sadly, many of us who claim Jesus as Savior have succumbed to living without joy in the workplaces God has provided for us. Been there, done that. For those of us who know the Lord and have a job, we can help in encouraging and witnessing to our fellow workers in how we carry on the work God has provided to us. This might begin to help change this malaise of mediocrity that we seem to be mired in today. Something to think about. Something to pray about. Something we can do something about! Amen.      .....More later.