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How Was Your Day? Submitted by Floyd Bills
One day, a man came home from work to find total mayhem at home. The kids were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud and muck. There were empty food boxes and wrappers all around. As he proceeded into the house, he found an even bigger mess. Dishes on the counter, dog food spilled on the floor, a broken glass under the table, and a small pile of sand by the back door. The house was strewn with toys and clothing; a lamp had been knocked over. He headed up the stairs, stepping over toys, to look for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or something had happened to her. He found her in the bedroom, still in bed with her pajamas on, reading a book. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?" She again smiled and answered, "You know everyday when you come home from work and ask me what I did today?" "Yes," was his reply. She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it!"

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Surprised?
By Staff Writer, Crystal Owings

Editor's Note: As with much of this issue, we are turning our focus toward the horrible events of April 20. We will be returning to our regular topics in June.

As I think back over the horrific events in America of late, I realize that we shouldn't really be surprised. We have a society that lives in a tunnel, if you will. We have narrowed our vision. We get so consumed with the here and now, and the me and mine, that we fail to recognize the importance of community and the long term impact of our choices. We have created a monster, a problem with many contributing causes. Major change will have to occur in our thinking and in our teaching if we are to change the violent future in store for America.

HE/SHE DID IT

We are looking for someone to take the blame for the atrocities we see around us, so we decry loud music, violence in the media, rock n' roll,, clics, pornography, and anything else we don't think fits in to the mainstream Christian culture. None of these are to blame, they are simply the reflection of the society that produced them. We want a scapegoat, so that we can feel vindicated, and have our peace of mind restored. Unfortunately, playing the pass the buck game will only compound the problem we have with violence in America.

If we want a change in America, the correct response is 'We all did it.' We need to realize that everyone shares in responsibility for the problems in this country. We allowed legislation and judicial precedent that tore at the fabric of our values in the name of tolerance and equality. We forgot that the noblest and most rewarding career on earth was the making of men and women out of our sons and daughters. We compromised the sanctity of human life. Our culture is a reflection of all of us, and change begins with a personal commitment to take responsibility for our garbage and begin to think and do things differently.

MAKE YOUR OWN MORALITY

The underlying problem with society today can be surmised in this statement, "Mankind is the pinnacle of knowledge, and wisdom." What I mean by this is that we pat ourselves on the back and smile at each other with the thought of how clever modern man is, how we are so smart as a species and society that we can write our own ethics and demand that all others cast away their archaic views.

We take the position that universities and counseling groups can replace the eons of social development, and that by thinking lofty ideals and getting in touch with our "feelings" that each man or women is their own island, able to embrace or dismiss laws of nature, society, and God at a whim. This is done with no thought that their actions have ripple effects on all people. Has anyone considered that the reasons we have codes of law in our societal histories is due to a prior inability for some to judge what is right or wrong? This is a legal way to look at it, but what are moral codes if not legal codes for our conscience?

Why are we surprised that society is breaking down? We have, in the short span of 40 years, cast aside the codes of conduct that our God-fearing fore fathers gave us in the name of enlightenment. We have said my convenience is more important than my responsibility. We are a throw away society, we discard our children, elderly, and impoverished, all in the name of convenience and future goals. Is it any wonder then that our children are starting to take this to its next logical conclusion? There is a generation rising up that says "I will do what is right in my own eyes." Do not only weep for the victims, but weep also for the violators, for they are young. They were born from our arrogance, poured from the crucible of our false superiority, and forged by the weak hand of "no absolutism".

A SENSE OF BELONGING

When America was young we lived in extended families and tight knit communities. When mom and dad were busy trying to keep the family going, there was always Grandma Nettie or Uncle Jim to talk to about things. If you were a rebellious child, then you could count on your neighbors to help you find a good switch, and to see to it your family new of your exploits. There was a level of accountability that you were always held to, a built in support group for your hard times, and enough responsibilities with just surviving, that there wasn't much time for bitterness or hate, much less building pipe bombs. But things have changed. We all want to be part of something. Once that something was your family, community, or church.

During world war I that something was our country and what it stood for, today it is nothing. Our since of community has been eaten up by our need to look out for #1, and we have exchanged our self esteem for self indulgence. We substituted pride in our family with patriotism, and patriotism with selfishness. If we want to go forward in our culture, then we must recognize that there is something worth living and working for that is larger than ourselves. We need to be part of something. That since of belonging provides accountability and fairness, and helps set the standards for what is and is not acceptable.

IF WE WANT CHANGE...

If we want change in America, then we will have to take our job as citizen seriously. We will have to vote, hold our leaders accountable to accurately represent us, teach our children to respect authority and be merciful, resanctify the human life, learn to be thankful the blessings we have, and live just and righteous lives. We will have to turn our hearts and our hands back to God, and pray for His guidance and intervention, not just on the National Day of Prayer, but every day.

Our Merciful Heavenly Father...
it is my humble prayer that you help our nation to turn around. Help us to see that convenience isn't always progress, help us to realize that You are there, that You are watching us, that You love us, each of us, more than we can ever understand. Open our eyes to the blessing it is to be born in America and have the incredible privilege and awesome responsibility to shape the laws and government of this nation. Show us the importance of accountability, both to you, and to our fellow countrymen. Help us to put aside all of our prideful and selfish vises and focus on You. In your word You tell us to think on things that are holy, just, and of good report if we desire virtue, so help us to take our focus off of what is terrible about our lives, and begin to look for and encourage the good that You have given us. In the name of your precious son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

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