A CHRISTMAS TRUCE - VIDEO

http://youtu.be/jgpw5JVPu98

A CHRISTMAS TRUCE

Dear Friends, 

I hope you’ll read this special story and maybe share it with your family this Christmas.

“Ninety nine years ago this Christmas, Germans and Englishmen were dug into trenches, battling each other on the front lines of World War I.  In Flanders fields (located in northwestern Belgium between France and Germany) the winter winds were cold, the skies were gray, and the ground was muddy. Though it had only been 4 months since the war began, each side had suffered agonizing losses.  Newly invented machine guns were proving painfully proficient at wounding and killing combatants.

As the sun rose on that chilly Christmas morning, soldiers on each side lay shivering in their trenches. They longed for the love, warmth, and comforts of home.  An unusual and eerie silence fell across the battlefield.  There was no cracking of gunfire or whizzing of bullets overhead.  Each army was awake, but neither was fighting.

Peeking above ground the British were surprised to see Christmas trees being hoisted along the German lines.  And then the strange silence of that Christmas morning was broken as the German soldiers began singing Christmas carols to each another.

To the utter amazement of the Brits, first one, and then another German soldier shouted across the enemy lines, “Happy Christmas to you Englishmen!”

Though the British command was suspicious, and the German officers were displeased, the soldiers on each side began shouting “Merry Christmas,” to one another.

The Germans sang a carol, and the Brits answered with one of their own. 

“Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht, alles schlaft, einsam wacht…” the Germans sang.  The words were foreign, but ah that tune was familiar.

Then it was the British who sang, “Oh Come, All ye Faithful, Joyful and triumphant…”

The contagion of Christmas so touched every soldier, they all stood and joined together to sing, “The first Noel, the angels did say… Born is the King of Israel!”

One soldier courageously shouted out, “You no shoot, we no shoot!”  And against the orders of their superiors, the trenches were emptied as the battle scarred, weary worn soldiers met, embraced, and exchanged small gifts in no man’s land.  They even played games of football and roasted pigs before sitting down to eat Christmas dinner together—a dinner unlike any the world had seen before.

One Scottish soldier described the scene in his journal, “What a sight—little groups of Germans and British extending almost the length of our front! …we could hear laughter…where they couldn’t talk the language they were making themselves understood by signs, and everyone seemed to be getting on nicely… Here we were laughing and chatting to men whom only a few hours before we were trying to kill!”

The Christmas Truce lasted through New Year’s Day in some places along that war weary line.  And so it is to this day, wherever Christ is celebrated and wherever Jesus is crowned Lord of Lords, there you will find fighters laying down their weapons and embracing, “Peace on earth, and goodwill towards men.”

Tragically the Generals on both sides cut short what the soldiers began that Christmas day.  But the Christmas Truce of 1914 will never be forgotten nor should it be!

Why it is that at this season of the year, when we celebrate God’s Gift of Love—His only begotten Son—we see so many who are at war. 

“Well Pastor,”—I can hear it now— “I want to have a peaceful Christmas but you don’t know how I’ve been treated… you don’t know what they have said to me… you have no idea how they made me feel…”  And, you are right, I do not know what you have endured.  I am very sorry that you have been wounded and hurt.

But here is what I do know.

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ( J O H N  3 : 1 6 )

AND

If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  ( 1   J O H N  4 : 1 1 )

How exactly did God “so love?”

He loved us when we didn’t love Him.

He loved us when we didn’t want Him.

He loved us when we didn’t care to know Him.

He loved us when we didn’t listen to Him.

He loved us when we didn’t respect Him.

He loved us when we didn’t speak well of Him.

He loved us when we didn’t follow Him.

He loved us when we didn’t deserve His love.

He loved us!  And the Scriptures teach us to love as we have been loved! So…

We love people who don’t love us.

We love people who don’t want us.

We love people who don’t care to know us.

We love people who don’t listen to us.

We love people who don’t respect us.

We love people who don’t speak well of us.

We love people who will not follow our example as we follow Christ’s example.

We love people who do not deserve our love.

When we are born of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with love. God’s  transcendent love transforms us.  The love ideal described in 1^st Corinthians 13 becomes the love real in our hearts and lives.  Now our love,

…Suffers long (that’s longsuffering)

…Is Kind, (always)

…Does not envy, (not jealous of others)

…Does not vaunt itself (push itself forward),

…Is not puffed up, (proud asserting its own importance),

…Does not behave unseemly, (self controlled, temperate, never rude or inconsiderate)

…Seeks not her own, (seeks the salvation of everyone, not just himself)

…Is not provoked, (temper is banished where divine love prevails)

…Thinks no evil, (assumes the best)

…Rejoices not in iniquity, (is not glad when sinful acts or sinful actors prevail)

…Rejoices in the truth, (thrilled to hear and to know the truth and to advance the truth)

…Bears all things, (covers rather than conversing about the sins and foibles of others)

…Believes all things, (is ready to believe the best about others)

…Hopes all things, (anticipates the restoration of the fallen)

…Endures all things, (bears all things with perfect submission and peace)

…Never fails, (is constant in every circumstance)

               Just imagine what a Christmas would be like if everyone was filled with love like this.  Our Christmas Truce would become a lifelong Christ bought Truce, reconciling men to God and men with men. And that exactly why “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

               THIS WEEKEND, Sunday, December 15, is our CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM!  The buses will be picking up the children in the afternoon.  A sack lunch will be provided.  At 6:30 PM you will enjoy seeing a reenactment of the first Christmas, hearing the sounds of new and traditional Christmas songs, and munching on delicious Christmas cookies.  Bring along your cameras for this wonderfully special evening.

               The following Sunday, December 22, at 6:00 p.m. you will want to see our TEEN CHRISTMAS PLAY, “ANOTHER CHRISTMAS MIRACLE”  We have over a dozen teens involved in this year’s performance.

               At 7:00 p.m. the lights will dim for our traditional CANDLELIGHT SERVICE.  Soloists, the FCC Chorale, Congregational singing, and meaningful readings from God’s Word will make this one of the highlights of our church year.   Invite your family and friends for this wonderful evening.

               We pray that the SON OF GOD, LOVE’S PURE LIGHT will fill your heart at this holy season.  Forget the crass commercialism, ignore the superficial folklore, and focus on Him who’s birth changed everything!  Let Christ’s love fill your heart so that your Christmas Truce stretches into a lifetime of peace with God and others.

Onward!

Pastor Richard M. Jones

FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH –  A Crusaders Church of America

2969 North Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri  63074 - Telephone (314) 298-5840; Cell (314) 607-1424

E-mail: PastorRick@FCCStLouis.org          www.pastorrickjones@blogspot.com

Sunday, December 15                 CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, 6:30 p.m

Wednesday, December 17        CHRISTMAS CAROLING, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 22                CANDLELIGHT SERVICE w CHORALE, 6:30 p.m.

Thanks for remembering to pray for our financial needs.  Our giving this Fall has not kept pace with our needs.  We want to end 2013 with all our bills paid.  We’re asking the Lord for $12,000 between now and December 31.  If the Lord would impress you to help us, we would be most grateful.  Don’t forget, you can also remember FCC in your will. It will be so great when our mortgage is cleared.

LOVE DENIED

^{I    J O H N  4 : 8 – 1 2}

⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

¹² No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

THE SPIRIT of CHRISTMAS is LOVE! "God so loved the world that He gave..." (John 3:16).

It's a spirit that the devil despises.  And you can be sure he is doing all that hell can do to destroy that spirit.

THE DEVIL DENIES GOD'S LOVE.

He tells us "God does not love us."  The old liar denies the existence of God, questions the reality of love, and rationalizes that we are simply pawns in a cosmic accident.  Just as he lied to Eve, "God hath not said," he lies to us, "God does not love you."

THE DEVIL DIMINISHES GOD'S LOVE

The enemy urges us to look around at the problems, the circumstances, and realities of a world gone awry, and then he suggests that God is either powerless to do anything, or that He is love-less.  "What kind of a loving God would make a world like this?" he suggests.  

Of course we know the truth, the world that is is not the world that was.  In fact, the world that is not the Creator's fault, it is the Desecrater's (The de-creator's) fault!  "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12).

THE DEVIL DEPERSONALIZES GOD'S LOVE

If he cannot get us to deny the reality of God's love he convinces us that God's love is abstract and impersonal.  Sure God loves the world, but He really doesn't love me.  

THE DEVIL DILUTES GOD'S LOVE

Should we ever begin to entertain the notion that God loves us, the enemy dilutes God's love into an unconditional grant of divine favor without personal implication.  "Of course God loves us.  He made us! He has to love us.  So what?"  By diluting God's love, the enemy renders the love of God powerless and inconsequential.

THE DEVIL DISTRACTS US FROM GOD'S LOVE

If we fall into believing that God's love is strong, sincere, and serious, the enemy sets about distracting us from thinking about God's love. By keeping us away from prayer, away from God's Word, and away from solitude, He keeps us away from the Author of Love.

THE DEVIL RE-DEFINES GOD'S LOVE

Finally, when all else fails, Satan strikes at the meaning of love.  He whispers that love is relative not absolute. He rationalizes that God's love is of a different sort than the love we have, or can have.

God loves us unconditionally.  We love Him conditionally.

God loves us with an everlasting love.  We love Him occasionally.

God loves us sacrificially.  We love Him selfishly.

And that's all just fine, because after all we're just human.  

But it's not just fine.  

GOD SO LOVED...and His great purpose is that we would SO LOVE AS WE HAVE BEEN LOVED.

SATAN SO HATED ...and his great purpose is that we would HATE AS WE HAVE BEEN HATED

I choose LOVE DIVINE all love's excelling!

IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT - HERE IS LOVE

http://youtu.be/cxltGMGYVUw

DO I HAVE TO GIVE THANKS WHEN EVERYTHING'S A MESS?

NOVEMBER 2013

How would you answer the question?

“Do I have to give thanks? Everything seems like such a mess this year?”

We agree with the premise.  The nation is heading the wrong direction.  Our economy is weak. Our politicians are wrong.  Our churches have lost their moral sway.  People are restless.

The culture is self-centered and thoughtlessly coarse. Civility, industry, and loyalty are scarce.  Rudeness, laziness, and infidelity are endemic. Families are stressed, distressed, and detached.

Do we have to give thanks? 

NO! We do not have to give thanks.

We do not have to give thanks for the breath in our lungs.

We do not have to give thanks for the roof over our heads.

We do not have to give thanks for the food we’ve had to eat.

We do not have to give thanks for the clothes we have to wear.

We do not have to give thanks for the jobs we have to do.

We do not have to give thanks for the health we enjoy.

We do not have to give thanks for the freedoms we cherish in the United States of America.

We do not have to give thanks for our families.

We do not have to give thanks for Christian husbands and Godly wives.

We do not have to give thanks for our children.

We do not have to give thanks for the friends who mean so much.

We do not have to give thanks for our church family—a family that sometimes seems more

         like family than our biological family.

We do not have to give thanks for the precious memories we have of the good old days.

We do not have to give thanks for our Christian heritage.

We do not have to give thanks for a church that believes and preaches the Bible.

We do not have to give thanks for a place to serve the Lord and to help others.

We do not have to give thanks for God’s mercy.

We do not have to give thanks for God’s grace.

We do not have to give thanks for God’s love.

We do not have to give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice.

We do not have to give thanks for the Holy Ghost’s presence in our lives.

We do not have to give thanks for conviction and God’s Amazing Grace.

We do not have to give thanks for an open altar where we can pray and find God’s forgiveness.

We do not have to give thanks for peace with God.

We do not have to give thanks for Gods’ wisdom and faithful direction.

We do not have to give thanks for answered prayer.

We do not have to give thanks for all the blessings we have received.

We do not have to give thanks for the promises of God.

We do not have to give thanks.

But the Scriptures couldn’t be plainer.  When people are not thankful terrible things begin to happen.  The Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, observed that when people are not thankful…

…they become vain in their imaginations,

…their foolish hearts are darkened,

…they think they are wise, but they are actually fools,

…they begin worship created things more than the Creator of all things,

…their thinking is perverted,

…their attitudes are pathetic, and

…their actions are pitiful…

               (Read Romans, Chapter 1)

No! We do not have to give thanks.

BUT, WHEN WE DO GIVE THANKS…

GOD IS HONORED BY OUR WILLING HEARTS

And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord, offer it at your own will.  LEVITICUS 22:29

GOD HALLOWS OUR THANKSGIVING WITH HIS PRESENCE

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord.  2 CHRONICLES 5:13

 

GOD COMFORTS US—ALL THEY WHO PRAISE HIM!

For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. ISAIAH 5:13

GOD DELIVERS US—THOSE WHO THANK HIM!

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of theLord.  JONAH 2:9

GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS—THOSE WHO THANK HIM!

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus….

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 PHILIPPIANS 4:6-19

WE ARE DEFINITELY  DOING THE WILL OF GOD!

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

AND, WE ARE JOINING THE RANKS OF THE REDEEMED THROUGHOUT ETERNITY!

Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.  REVELATION 11:17

IT SURE SOUNDS TO ME LIKE IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA FOR ALL OF US,

THOSE WHO ARE FACING GREAT TRIALS

AND THOSE WHO ARE REJOICING IN GOD’S PROVISION,

TO GIVE THANKS!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND AT FCC! If we can help you in any way please let us know.  We love and appreciate you every one!

Onward!

Pastor Richard M. Jones

FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH –  A Crusaders Church of America

2969 North Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri  63074 - Telephone (314) 298-5840; Cell (314) 607-1424

E-mail: PastorRick@FCCStLouis.org          www.pastorrickjones@blogspot.com

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Monday, November 25                     THANKSGIVING DINNER at WILD ACRES, 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 26                     THANKSGIVING COMMUNION, 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 17 CHRISTMAS CAROLING, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 15                       CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 22                       CANDLELIGHT SERVICE w CHORALE, 6:30 p.m.

Thanks for praying for our financial needs.  We are praying for $15,000 between now and December 31.  If the Lord would impress you to help us, we would be most grateful.  Don’t forget you can remember FCC in your will too.  Won’t it be great when our mortgage is completely cleared?

ITS SATURDAY NIGHT - WONDERFUL PEACE by LILLENAS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSlGc1InwZ0&feature=c4-overview&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw

Coming to Jesus, my Savior, I found
Wonderful peace, wonderful peace;
Storms in their fury may rage all around,
I have peace, sweet peace.

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Peace, peace, glorious peace;
Since my Redeemer has ransomed my soul,
I have peace, sweet peace.

Peace like a river, so deep and so broad,
Wonderful peace, wonderful peace;
Resting my soul on the bosom of God,
I have peace, sweet peace.

Refrain

Peace like a holy and infinite calm,
Wonderful peace, wonderful peace,
Like to the strains of an evening psalm,
I have peace, sweet peace.

Refrain

Gone is the battle that once raged within,
Wonderful peace, wonderful peace;
Jesus has saved me and cleansed me from sin,
I have peace, sweet peace.

Refrain

HOW HAVE WE COME TO THIS TRAGIC HOUR?

HEADLINE - MISSOURI COURT forbids a man from marrying the love of his life. The man says "She's gorgeous. She's sweet.  She's loving.  I'm very proud of her...Deep down I'd love to have children with her."  Yet the Court has ruled that for the time being, the law forbids a man from marrying his horse.

HEADLINE - THE 5TH EDITION OF THE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS (DSM) distinguishes between Pedophilia and Pedophilic disorder.  It turns out that Pedophilia is a "sexual orientation."  We've heard that before haven't we?  Some are now saying that if adults and children want to engage in recreational sex then their innate orientation should be celebrated.

HEADLINE - THE UNITED STATES SENATE has passed the EMPLOYMENT NON DISCRIMINATION ACT (ENDA).  The Family Research Council explains the implications.  ENDA would prohibit employers from making employment decisions on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.  It provides protections for "sexual orientation" which includes voluntary homosexual conduct, and gender identity referring to the appearance, or mannerisms or other characteristics with or without regard to the individual's designated birth gender.  It would protect those who are transgendered, or who are partially so.  It would protect transvestism, drag queens and drag kings.  

HOW HAVE THE LEADERS AND PEOPLE OF OUR NATION COME TO THIS TRAGIC HOUR?

1.      WE HAVE COME TO THIS TRAGIC HOUR BECAUSE WE REPLACED THE JUDGE ABOVE WITH THE JUDGE DOWNTOWN.

2.     WE HAVE COME TO THIS TRAGIC HOUR BECAUSE WE REJECTED THE BOOK OF BOOKS—THE WISDOM OF GOD, FOR THE FOOLISHNESS OF MEN.

3.     WE HAVE COME TO THIS TRAGIC HOUR BECAUSE WE DECIDED THAT HEDONISM-- CARNAL DESIRE--IS NOT ONLY HARMLESS AND IMMUTABLE (We are born with these desires that can not and should not be changed), BUT IT IS THE LEGITIMATE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT. Liberty and Virtue have been uncoupled.  We have the right to act wrong but no right to define and denounce wrong.

4.     WE HAVE COME TO THIS HOUR BECAUSE WE ARE UNWILLING TO FACE THE TRUTH ABOUT OURSELVES AND REPENT AND RENOUNCE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL—SO WE ARE TOLERANT OF THE SINS OF OTHERS.  We recognize that with the same measure we judge we will be judged so we say nothing and hope that our sins will not be exposed.  For Example:  Some professing Christians are unwilling to stand with Scripture against same sex-marriage because they have been unfaithful to stand with Christ for life-long marriage. 

THESE ARE DESPERATE DAYS FOR THE NATION, FOR THE CHURCH, AND FOR THIS JUDGEMENT BOUND PEOPLE--BUT A HOLY GHOST DRIVEN "GREAT AWAKENING" WOULD SAVE US.  "HALLELUJAH THINE THE GLORY! REVIVE US AGAIN!"

2 TIMOTHY, Chapter 4

1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

ITS SATURDAY NIGHT - HOLD TO GOD'S UNCHANGING HAND

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiTrSc4s3qs&feature=c4-overview&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw

FAMILY CONFERENCE - HAPPY HOMES

WELCOME TO FCC'S FIRST FAMILY CONFERENCE WEEKEND - KEYS TO HAPPY FAMILIES!   Those who are married or hoping to be married, those who are parents or hoping to be parents, will not want to miss this!

On Friday Evening you will meet my great friend PASTOR DENNIS SKINNER.  He has a great TOP 10 LIST OF HAPPY HOMES, and there will be time for conversation and discussion.  Then you're invited to the Parsonage for Desserts.  Should be great fun!

On Saturday Morning we will gather at 10AM to discuss a number of "Keys to Happy Families."  Keys to Happy Homes, Keys to Happy Children, Keys to Successful Finance, and Keys to Happy Relationships.  You're invited to the Parsonage for a Picnic style luncheon at noon.  

THERE WILL BE FREE CHILD CARE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 6.  They can all join with us as we eat together.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND!   If you have a question please call Pastor Rick at 314 607 1424 or TXT or email: PastorRick@fcctoday.org, or you could track me down and ask me!

WE USED TO THINK...

ROMANS 1

²¹ Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools...

In thinking about how things have changed over the past 100 years we cannot help but be amazed.  We have gone from stagecoach to rockets, from victrolas to blueray, from comfort measures to robotic surgery, from wood burning stoves to central heat and air-conditioning, from six shooters to nuclear arsenals, from abacus to mainframe computers, and from party-line phones to smartphones. 

Yet while our technology wows, our spirituality woes.  Things we used to know we now doubt.  Things we used to hold as “self-evident truths” we now reject as “silly fables.”  We are smarter in so many ways, but we are not wiser in any way.  The gap between our knowledge and our wisdom, between our facts and and understanding, has never been greater.

The Apostle Paul described a time when men “professing themselves to be wise, became fools,” (Romans 1:22).  How descriptive of our times.  The pressure to conform to the godless and self-centered agenda of this carnal rebellious generation is great.  But let God be true! 

We used to know there is a God, and doubting Him is foolish,
Now we know that there is no God, and believing Him is folly.

We used to know there is a devil with a host of demons at his command,
Now we know that the devil is made up and demons are a fiction.

We used to think that God is great and we are not so great,
Now we think we are so great and God isn't so...great. 
 (Hitchen's wrote a book by that title, " God Is Not Great.")

We used to know that the Bible inerrant, inspired, and true--and that rejecting His Word is rejecting Him.
Now we know that the Bible contains truth and that it's up to us to find it--God doesn't expect us to believe or obey His Word.

We used to think that man is inclined to sin and is sinful,
Now we know that man is inherently good and that sin is sinful--well a bad idea.

We used to know that truth is absolute and knowable,
Now we know that truth--if it exists--is relative and mostly unknowable.

We used to think that right and wrong are objective absolutes,
Now we think that right and wrong are determined by a majority vote or poll.

We used to think that God created the universe.
Now we think that the universe created God.

We used to think that authority was to be respected and obeyed,
Now we think that authority is to be questioned and resisted.

We used to think that if a man was hungry he should work.
Now we think that if a man is hungry he should beg from his government or steal from his neighbors.

We used to think we got more than we deserved.
Now we think we never get as much as we deserve.

We used to think that a strong man was morally, ethically, and spiritually strong.
Now we think that gamers, players, and party-ers are the ideal man.

We used to think that a perfect woman was virtuous.
Now we think the perfect woman is voluptuous.

We used to think that sacrifice was a blessing.
Now we think that sacrifice is inconvenient, unnecessary, and silly.

We used to think that sin is disobedience to God.

Now we think that sin is not thinking ourselves to be as wonderful as we really are--and that that problem can be fixed with a good prescription or positive counsel.

We used to think that repentance meant turning from sin, saying if I had it to do all over again I would do it God's way.

Now we think repentance means, "I'll work on quitting my sinful ways."

We used to think that men should never wear clothes or jewelry that looks effeminate. 

Now we think that girly men are great, and sissy boys are precious.

We used to think that women should not dress like men, act like men, or desire to be men,

Now girly girls are looked down on, effeminate women are out of step, and Biblical women are pitied as backward.

We used to think that art and entertainment and literature should inspire virtue and disparage vice,

Now we think that immorality is better than purity--reality is better than morality--garbage is better than godliness.

We used to think that music had words, harmony, and rythym--in that order.

Now we think that music is words--nonsensical, degrading, and demoralizing words spoken to a beat.  Think pagan.

We used to think "In God We Trust."

Now we think, "In Gov we Trust."

We used to think that charity begins at home.

Now we think that charity begins and ends with Washington D.C.

We used to think that the 10 Commandments were just that--10 Commandments.

Now we think of them as 10 Suggestions.

We used to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy,

Now its a holiday--a day of commerce and pleasure.

We used to think that nakedness and immodesty were the first effect of man's disobedience,

Now we think that showing as much skin as possible is fashionable.  Less is more when it comes to clothes today.

We used to think that a person's worth is known by their heart of gold, 

Now we think that a person's worth is evidenced by the gold they display and hoard.

We used to think that God made Adam and Eve--that gender is God-determined.

Now we think that Gender is man-determined--that gender roles and specifics are made up by fuddy duds.

We used to think that straight is great.

Now we think that bizarre is best.

We used to think that marriage was for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others so long as ye both shall live--that it was sanctioned by the Judge of all the earth.

Now we think that marriage is a temporary arrangement sanctioned and dissolved by the Judge downtown.

We used to know that Jesus was definitely returning to the earth again.

Now we are not so sure.

We used to know that prayer changes things.

Now we know that prayer is ineffectual.

We used to know that the sinner's prayer changed the sinner,

Now we have found out that the sinner's prayer just changes the consequence of our sins.  We go right on sinning and rebelling against God but He no longer cares.

We used to know that there is a heaven and a hell.

We pretty sure there's still a heaven.  We're very sure there's no hell.

Come to think of it, the biggest difference between the way we used to think, and the way things are today, is this...We used to think...

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IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT - ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LEADS ME

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjXCKncWcgA&feature=c4-overview&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw

All the way my Savior leads me;
  What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
  Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
  Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well,
For I know, whate’er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
  Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
  Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
  And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me;
  Oh, the fullness of His grace!
Perfect rest to me is promised
  In my Father’s blest embrace.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
  Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/701#ixzz2jVS6vPUr