MikeBumbalough Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 91 Location: Nashville, TN

Posted: Mar 03, 2007 10:36    Post subject: The Old Paths THE OLD PATHS I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home. Dads were at work, Brothers went into the army. And sisters got married BEFORE having children! Crime did not pay; hard work did; And people knew the difference. Moms could cook; Dads would work. Children would behave. Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive; and children were polite. Women wore the jewelry; and Men wore the pants. Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen; And children looked decent. People loved the truth, and hated a lie. They came to church to get IN, not to get OUT! Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful. Rejoicing sounded normal; and crying sounded sincere. Cursing was wicked; Drinking was evil; and divorce was unthinkable. The flag was honored; America was beautiful; And God was welcome! We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school; And preached from house to house. To be called an American was worth dying for; To be called a Christian was worth living for; To be called a traitor was a shame! Sxx was a personal word. Homosexual was an unheard of word, And abortion was an illegal word. Preachers preached because they had a message; And Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY! Preachers preached from the Bible. Singers sang from the heart; And sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED! A new birth meant a new life; Salvation meant a changed life. Following Christ led to eternal life. Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God; Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord. Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus; And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you! Laws were based on the Bible; Homes read the Bible. And churches taught the Bible. Preachers were more interested in new converts, Than new clothes and new cars. God was worshiped; Christ was exalted; and the Holy Spirit was respected. Church was where you found Christians on the Lord's day, rather than in the garden, on the creek bank, on the golf course, or being entertained somewhere else. I still like the old paths the best! ~ Author Unknown ~ Realizing that many conveniences of our modern age are better than the old ways, these "Old Paths" are intended to arouse our thinking. Is the 21st century mind more moral, more loving, more compassionate, more about "loving your neighbor as yourself?" These old paths were likely written by someone raised during and after WWII. Some say, and I agree that was the "Golden Generation." Why? Because that generation didn't just know about commitment, they lived it. They didn't just avoid wrong for fear of being caught, they believed that doing right was just right. That generation learned how to budget, how to treat others with respect, what it meant to be patriotic and pull together and how to honor, respect and serve God. Some of the Old Paths are still very good. We need to cherish the good and carefully improve upon the mistakes. By and large, the Golden Generation got it right. They wanted to leave their world better off than what it was before them. Now I fear, it's "I want to be better off" than everyone else. My end is more important the means of getting there. Have you had a long talk with someone in their 80's or 90's lately? Most of them have much to offer you and me. Take the time one day and listen to them. They have learned some gems for living along the way. I think I'll go find an old path today and just leisurely stroll down it with meditation on my mind about the "good old days." ~Mike   You can view Mike's Daily Blessings at http://www.TheWoods.phpbbnow.com Please invite Mike to your friends list here:  http://community.adlandpro.com/go/papaof7/

Christians ~ By Maya Angelo

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”
I’m whispering “I was lost,
Now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner
Who received God’s good grace, somehow!



So well said wouldn’t you say? So often non-Christians perceive Christians as a group of high and mighty do-gooders. Could it we our fault? Are we any better than anyone else? Of course not, Christ died for all and therefore all are welcome into His fold. We’re only different because we have humbly accepted the invitation and admitted we are sinners. We’ve begged for the forgiveness He so freely offers. We need to tell His story in love and without a condescending attitude. He desires that none should perish. Love one another and be kind to all people. Our lives tell far more than we can say.

Your humble Christian friend,

Mike

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P. U. S. H.

Do you ever become impatient when you want something to happen much sooner than it seems to be? If you are human and alive in the twenty first century, I suspect you do. I know I do. We live in a “fast food” society. We’re in a hurry. The thirty-something’s and younger are especially accustomed to life in the fast lane. That is all they have ever known. They have grown up in a get it quick society. What ever happened to the virtue of patience spoken of in the Bible?

Genesis chapter 25 relates the story of Isaac and Rebekah. Verse 20 says; “and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife”. Forty! A willingness to wait for Miss Right exemplifies patience. But wait, this is just the beginning. Notice verse 21; “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. If we stopped reading here we might assume that God answered Isaac’s prayer quickly. Move on to the latter part of verse 26 and read, “and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.” Simple math reveals that it was a period of twenty years from the time Isaac began praying until Rebekah gave birth!

Don’t overlook that last little word, “them.” Isaac got more than he asked for. He was now the father of twins! This should make us think about what we pray for. We just might get it, and then some.

Space doesn’t allow for alluding to many other biblical examples of praying and waiting. The Old Testament has many such inspiring stories.

While writing the word push stands out. If you’ve ever given birth or witnessed a birth you’ve likely heard a room full of nurses, family members and the doctor admonishing the mother to push! That mother wants results swiftly at this point. So she pushes.

Now, notice the word push and think of it as an acronym for praying with patience. “P” represents Pray. All too often this doesn’t imply pray once and done. The Bible talks of praying constantly. Not that this means we pray non-stop for twenty years but that we’re to be of a prayerful mind and pray often. “U” in this example represents Until. Pray until (S) something (H) happens. P. U. S. H.

My prayer for you and me today is that we will ask God with expectation. Prayer without believing that the Almighty hears us is an exercise in futility. If we find ourselves in a burdensome situation that seems to linger on and on we need not quit.

Push ahead and pray until something happens!

Mike


I apologize to those to young to know what this is.

You can view Mike's Daily Blessings at http://www.TheWoods.phpbbnow.com

 Please invite Mike to your friends list here:

 http://community.adlandpro.com/go/papaof7/ 

I was Reading 1 John 5 verse 20 and reading some on these posts from a well known classic here on Adlandpro Mike B. well here i want you to read this; Jesus came to reveal God to us. He has given us the clearest
picture yet of what God is really like. Because of Jesus, we can
know God, the only one who is truly genuine. Because we are in
Christ, we share that special bond with the Father and find in him
a whole new quality of life. This life won't end when our bodies
die, and eternal life begins now, as we walk with him each day and
extends unto forever. For the eternal and transcendent God to make
himself known to us is grace. For him to do it in Jesus is
salvation!
Your Adland Prayerwarrior...  http://ojeez.com/tmobil8

Thomas, Thanks for the posting,, Your words are always welcome. Mikes Posting reminds us of the small prints in life that we overlook. I hope you enjoyed it.

Peace, Sharon