11-8-21<\/p>\n
It seems like everywhere we turn these days we meet \u201cvirtual\u201d things, \u201cbots\u201d (robots and robotic actions), and automated actions. When I was younger, the prospect of such things were called \u201clabor-saving devices,\u201d and promised a future of\u2026 saving labor.<\/p>\n
Car washes led to driverless vehicles, in a way. Now we can read newspapers when going to work. Of course, when I lived in California, crazy drivers on the freeways read newspapers instead of paying attention to speeding cars in the dozen other lanes. Now, a few years later, there are no such things as newspapers any more. This is all called Progress.<\/p>\n
On our computers, the program will finish our sentences. Algorithms predict, with high degrees of accuracy, what we want to buy and where we would like to travel. No matter, because commercials and subliminal messages mold our desires anyway.<\/p>\n
So modern life is telling us what to do. Modern life increasingly also dissuades us from pushing back; prevents us from asserting ourselves.<\/p>\n
We are at a precipice in history. These things are not momentary fads, but Brave New modes of living. Candy, of sorts, that will cause cavities in our souls, I fear. The Romans lulled the population into subservience by giving them \u201cbread and circuses.\u201d We remember \u2013 we should remember \u2013 that Benjamin Franklin wrote, \u201cThose who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
I have found myself lately wishing that modern life could provide us with virtual Volume Controls. Can\u2019t we all just get along at a quieter level, a slower pace, normal surroundings?<\/p>\n
I think it was Patsy Clairmont who said that in her life these days, \u201cNormal\u201d is nothing but a setting on the clothes dryer. In its own way she rivals Franklin’s profundity. There are many dangers in contemporary life, seriously parlous trends and signs. Some who are not alarmed are welcoming of the tremors and coming disruptions (at their peril, I think). And some people merely are distracted by the shiny toys and sweet candies, so to speak, and media propaganda and guilt trips and\u2026<\/p>\n
Combined with wars, inflation, crime, corruption and so much else, we might wish we could turn the clock back. Except for Daylight Standard Time, that is something we cannot do. We are being told that we can do almost anything we set our minds to\u2026 except to say \u201cNo thanks\u201d to some of these rapidly changing elements of contemporary life.<\/p>\n
My essays of late have careened from grim to glib and back again. So will this one, all by itself.<\/p>\n
I am much worried about the state of affairs in America and the West, in popular culture, in government, and everything in between. I lament, and blame, the institutional churches in large part. And I try to rally Christians to assert their faith, their freedom, and their fates \u2013 that is, our civic duties and prerogatives \u2013 as our heritage is being erased and our liberties eroded.<\/p>\n
But then I tell myself, and remind you of the fact, that we can peek ahead to the final chapters of the Book. There will be travail; trials; and literal tribulation. What we currently endure might only be a shadow of persecution to come. Yet we know that God reigns, Jesus has defeated the enemy, and the Holy Spirit has been given to strengthen and guide us. \u201cGospel\u201d means \u201cGood News.\u201d There will be a happy ending to all of this.<\/p>\n
I was sarcastic about the concept of \u201cProgress\u201d above. Yet I harken to the book I have read many times, The Pilgrim\u2019s Progress<\/em>, reportedly the second best-selling book in history after the Bible; and deservedly so. We are pilgrims and strangers in this world, but headed somewhere as we all must. But keep to the Road called Straight, enduring twists and turns, and climb upward to the Celestial City. You like \u201cvirtual\u201d things? Bunyan\u2019s book is a virtual picture of reality!<\/p>\n This week I have had moments of crying tears of grief, for friends. Both Christians. A friend whose dear husband died, I believe of Covid or symptoms brought on or exacerbated by the virus. Creative people, united in love of Christ and each other. And a friend whose son committed suicide \u2013 as is often the case, sudden, surprising, a mystery. My friend is new to me, a \u201cTed-Head,\u201d devotee of Theodore Roosevelt; our friendship further informed by a common love of Jesus. The Lord gives my friend the strength to bear up and share a positive witness in these days following. I cannot pretend to think I could be able to do so, as he is doing.<\/p>\n So. What\u2019s important in life?<\/p>\n Yes, these controversies threaten us, and when evils attack us, maybe we turn the other cheek. When they attack our families\u2026 or when they attack the Savior\u2026 Well, we remember to pray; we ask the Spirit\u2019s wisdom. Sometimes we turn down the volume, if we can. Sometimes we may answer in kind. The Bible does lay out the \u201cwhole armor of God.\u201d<\/p>\n But something else came to my mind this week, and it was not an accident to “find” it. It has centered me, and ministered to me. I pray it does for you too.<\/p>\n Another new friend, Daryl Coats, is the grandson of the composer of Gospel songs J B Coats. J B wrote some of the greatest songs of the past couple of generations. You might know \u201cWhere Could I Go But To the Lord\u201d and \u201cWinging My Way Back Home.\u201d And many scores of others.<\/p>\n He also wrote one of the most beautiful, sentimental Gospel songs ever \u2013 \u201cThe Sweetest Gift, a Mother\u2019s Smile.\u201d Do you know it?<\/p>\n One day a mother went to a prison To see an erring but precious son; Her boy had drifted far from the fireside Though she had pleaded with him each night, She left a smile, son, you can remember; She\u2019s gone to heaven, from heartaches free. She did not bring to him parole or pardon, She brought no silver, no pomp or style; Can we remind ourselves that amidst the fears and fights and threats and hate and dangers, that we have our heavenly faith, the love of Jesus, the promises of God\u2026 and each other?<\/p>\n Cherish your family members, and your dear friends in Christ. This simple song reminds us of, yes, a mother\u2019s smile…\u00a0 and God\u2019s unconditional love.<\/p>\n + + +<\/p>\n Click either (or both!) versions of this song. One by an elderly mother on a mountain cottage porch; one by the great Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt.<\/p>\n
\nShe told the warden how much she loved him; It did not matter what he had done.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nYet not a word did she ever utter And though her heart ached, her smile was bright.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThose walls around you, could never change her. You were her baby and e\u2019er will be.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIt was a halo sent down from heaven, The sweetest gift, a mother\u2019s smile.<\/em><\/p>\n