Opinions

Societal climate has been warming for decades. Expressions by humanity, especially in the form of depraved behavior, often show a deep-seated lack of moral principles. It is why there appears to be a growing sense that some wacko will reach a point and release pent-up, wanton cruelty on others. Managing control of their life becomes too much and the corrupt will deliver a wicked, punishing act on the innocent as though they had it coming. The carnal nature of man is prone to demonstrating its capabilities by heinous actions. Selecting a soft target, where defenses are too trusting are much easier than poking a bear… you know, like shooting at a police station. Translated, the depraved chooses someone or someplace that is less likely to prevent their planned vengeance.

As I veered onto I-10 in Tallahassee for the final leg of my journey home after four hours on various other highways, I said to myself, “I’m driving like Uncle Willie.” It wasn’t that I was speeding and it wasn’t that I was reckless. It was that I was aggressive. Uncle Willie worked with Pioneer Electric Cooperative, later assuming the oversight of all electric cooperatives in our state, and thus he drove somewhere every day. He was a careful driver, mind you, but he didn’t dilly-dally around. Driving to him was like digging a ditch; the sooner you finish, the sooner you can get out of the ditch. Unfortunately, when we traveled for pleasure, Uncle Willie didn’t know how to change his mind-set. He didn’t want to look at the houses on the left or right, or to stop to see fields of daylilies. When you traveled with Uncle Willie, you’d better have a snack at hand but not a bottle of water nearby. It was understood that you were to visit the bathroom before you left and not mention it again; the car wasn’t stopping. Remember to buckle your seatbelt and prepare for lift-off. Without fail, Uncle Willie would get you to your destination safely, often in record time because of a newly discovered shortcut.

Nothing lit me up like hearing the Atlantic High School band play “The Horse” at a pep rally or at a game. The instrumental by Cliff Nobles and Company was surprisingly popular, peaking at number 2 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. The brass instruments and the rhythm made it a staple of marching bands and pep bands nationwide. For decades it was played at high schools as well as by college bands. Listening to it online or YouTube brings me back to high school football during my senior year in 1974. Having a crowd of 8,000 rocking along made for great memories. Still does.

There was a birthday being celebrated but the remarkable “coming of age” belonged to two cousins who plopped down at the restaurant table and said, “We’re exhausted…but Happy Birthday!” They had been at Weeki Wachi Springs State Park for a weekend-long Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camp. Immediately, 100 questions fell from heaven into my lap. “How did you learn about this?” “What possessed you to go?” “Was it wonderful?” To answer the first question, they told me stories of their friend who has participated in this camp for six years. She convinced them to join her this year for “an underwater adventure where mermaid dreams do come true.”

When we traveled to Alabama for a Fourth of July celebration with family, we saw nothing but rain. It rained for six hours and 300 miles on the way there; it rained for two days while we were there; and it continued to rain for six hours and 300 miles as we returned home. It was while we were traveling home, in the rain, that a question from 40 years ago emerged again, just as compelling as it was in 1967. Why did Billie Joe McAllister jump off the Tallahatchie Bridge? Do you know?

I rarely discuss end-time events, but I’ve been receiving emails with questions pertaining to the church being removed from the earth, the second coming of Jesus, and the antiChrist. The reason is simple why I avoid these topics, and it has to do with being unsure of my interpretations of them. I’m sure you are aware there are many opinions about eschatology with most Bible teachers and scholars being convinced they are correct. But, if all Bible passages were crystal clear, there would only be one Christian church and every follower of God would be in agreement without any strife or divisions. The purpose of this column is not a place to be controversial over religious doctrines or stir up anger over political positions, but to present inspirational and encouraging messages to help us understand what God wants from us and what our responsibilities are to Him. On the other hand, we are not to be afraid to stand for truth due to fear of public criticism. Pastors face this every Sunday. Therefore, with so many important questions about our future, I’m curious like most of you about what is going to happen and hoping I will be able to discern the signs. Just let me say my personal views are not set in dogmatic concrete, but rather are possible scenarios and considerations.

Some days, when I’m not sure how everything has gone so terribly wrong in this country, I find myself focusing on the image of the ruler that the Coca-Cola Company gave me when I entered first grade in my small town of southern Alabama.

Ever been fired? A couple of days ago at a local lunch venue, a woman was heard to say, “I’ve never been fired, but I’ve quit a bunch of times.” The late comedian Rodney Dangerfield often said, “the one good thing about getting fired, it helps you make up your mind.” Plenty of people have used a euphemism – saying something unpleasant in a nice manner, like being “freed up for the future” is softer than admitting to being sacked or canned. “I made a career transition” doesn’t have to include that it was abrupt. Studies show the average number of times Americans experience “involuntary separation” is just two times, though about 40 percent admit to being laid off or terminated. Most don’t want to admit they’ve been decruited.

Devoted to Seeking God’s Heart – Zach Crook I was talking with a friend the other day and he made a very interesting comment about how easy it is easy to spend a lot of time around Jesus without actually spending any time with Him. He was referring to the story of Mary and Martha. Specifically, he mentioned that Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and soaking in His teaching and Martha was too busy cleaning to spend time with Him. I understand what he was getting at, but I think it goes even further than that. How many people do you know who go to church every week and sing songs and hear sermons but never actually experience God?!