Is Change Coming or is always going to be like this

“The more life changes the more things stay the same.”
Archeologist uncovered hieroglyphics apprehensive over the lack of discipline and shame among Egyptian youth. Historians uncover more than once sinister darker sides of famous leaders. Writers continually reveal disgusting evils practiced by legendary business and political personalities.
Yet, we continue today to take serious cries from the political, social and religious arenas that “The sky is falling! This nation is going to hell in a hand basket! We need a return to the good old days and old fashion family values!”
Our world today is not doing anything different than it did two, four or six thousand years ago. It is just being done with different tools and under faster and faster forms of communications.
Those good old days gone by were polluted with greedy business people paying minimum wages and manning sweat shops with illegal immigrant help. At the same time the handful of dishonest politicians accepted tainted money in one hand, while the other hand reached out to citizens with hollow gestures of help.
Everywhere men ruled society and their families with an iron hand. Definition of a  family required two married parents. Single parents, widows and orphans were social outcast in those family values societies. Women and children were objects to be possessed. An individual's color, gender, disabilities, disfigurements, religion, and other such small  differences were legitimate excuses for social rejection and even at times death.
Perhaps these historical perspectives might help us to more clearly see today's social, political, and religious situation. It really isn't any different than those of days gone by. It would read like this, “During the last decades of a roaring twentieth century a powerful nation experienced explosions of knowledge in the fields of communications and physical science. The impact on society was similar to the industrial and transportation explosions in the last decades of the nineteenth.
Numerous political leaders and statesmen are remembered for their honest and efficient leadership. Several of them, including presidents, had illicit extra marital and financial affairs. They were many involved with greedy social and financial elements in the society. Many business people and inventors rode their industrial success to great financial heights. They also established benevolent works in society. Sadly the news media of the day gave more attention to greedy and unethical people than the honest ones. Population also increased dramatically during those decades. Wars dominated the world scene.”
As in days gone by, most of the world quietly goes about living their lives guided by honest values. It is just a few rotten apples that make all the noise. What's new? Nothing! So, what should we do? Take a personal check of our own selves first. If the bottom or foundation of a society is solid, shouldn't those  who stand above be just as good?
First and foremost, do you vote in every election or do you let the handful select the leaders. One Arkansas governor was elected with about 433,000 votes out of a possible two million. Do you give your fair share of money and time to benevolent work? Do you avoid consumer debt? Do you give an honest days work for an honest dollar? Do you study in school to the best of your ability? Are you loyal to family and fiends? Is your word and hand trustworthy?
 Do you associate regular with not only people like yourself but others too? Do you give everyone equal respect? And so forth?
If your answers are a powerful yes to all of the above, you are a social gem. Now if we were to put you in a position of power, fame or fortune would you stay that way? History says, “No!” The point? Don't waste your time concerned about that great world out there until you have made a distinct improvement inside the one you live in. Or until you are ready to step forward and lead. The more life changes the more things stay the same? Not if you make it personal. The more my life changes the more things in my world will change.
 

Aromatic Christians

Almost every week I charge my congregation to be “Aromatic Christians” in the week ahead. Meaning their lives should give evidence of their faith. If you have to tell someone you are a Christian, you probably should keep your mouth shut.
  The label Christian was first used by people of other faiths, who saw the actions of the people and said, “There go the followers (disciples) of Christ.”  This is the basic definition of Christian.
Theologically a Christian, by our definition, is one who has received the Spirit of God and all the authority that entails.
  In this small detail lies the basic problem between most religions (in all religions the believer is touched by the divine spirit). Give authority to some people and they grow; give it to others and they swell. Being a part of creation is an awesome position. It means you represent a force that causes life! It causes things to exist! When you walk in the woods you are walking with your family, for we are related to everything that exist. You are a "little one" of God. The God and power who causes life. You represent the creator of all life!
  This reminds us that all who come as representatives of their Creator God, should be given respect. Do we respect all those things of God? The environment? Society? Other people? Our faith? Perhaps  if we remember that we also are a representative of the creator it might change your approach to others.
  We are each a representative - we only represent God. If we work for a company and they send us to visit a customer we cannot represent something to the customer the company will not do. Ambassadors understand that very well. Another English word for ambassador is apostle. They were/are representatives of Jesus. Jesus was/is a representative of God. We need only to project what/who we represent - the God of life and love.
  There is no room or tolerance for those who come in the name of God and represent death and hate; condemnation and rejection; and self centeredness.  By represent, I mean how we influence others by our words, actions and attitudes. No one can influence others to live on a higher level than that on which they live themselves. Just one act of ours may turn the tide of another person's life.
  When God says to a person, “Well done thou faithful servant,” it signifies that God feels that person represented God well. They gave of the aroma of love, grace, and acceptance; not hate, condemnation, and rejection. They were Christ like.