About Our Children...

Habakkuk 1:2-4 (KJV)
O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

The decision to do away with a child is bad enough. What disturbs me even more is a society where people include that option in the first place. It speaks of conditions that leave people desperate and without hope. Poverty, political pressure, economic avenues that don’t exist, hunger, and general apathy… all of these become common place long before horrific acts like this began to surface. Yes, this display is shocking; but what can we really say when for far too long a blind eye has viewed as well as tolerated the little wrongs preceding this? Morality begins in the heart. It can never develop in a heart devoid of the love and saving grace of Christ. Jesus spent every day of His time on Earth attending to His Fathers business. Following Christ is not a passing occasion reserved for a few hours during Worship Service. It is a lifestyle that must be put into practice every moment of every day.

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It’s this spiritual wickedness, when left unchecked, that subtly works its way into our societal way of life. Once there it creates indifference and an uncaring attitude. We begin to get comfortable with things that never should be allowed. Things that lead to more infestation until horrible acts like this one hit the surface. These acts shock us only because our breaking point has been pushed too far from where it should have been all along. The time to make some noise existed long ago… we just didn't cry out. We have become salt that has lost its savoir and therefor is good for nothing. Its easy to speak out against sensational acts of evil. Acts that none of us would ever contemplate to commit. All the while we remain silent to the little wrong doings happening all around us. Things that most of us must admit that we do over and over ourselves. Has our continued indulgence of these little things stifled our voice? Would speaking out put us at risk of having our own indiscretions exposed, or maybe make it necessary to give up the practices that shouldn't be a part of our character, as godly people, in the first place? We will never be light to the world around us when we allow the worlds light to cause ours to dim.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

There is a log in the eye of every man. We can go about the business of removing that log or continue to try and live as though it causes no discomfort. There can never be a hope for a better world when we settle for living with trash. Trash that we refuse to clean from our own houses. Saying we’re sorry is not the same thing as repentance. It takes a desire for change as well as an effort to be an example of real change for others to see. Without change, what glory does God receive? If we continue to act and do the same as the rest of the world… what makes us any different?

Philippians 2:15-16 (KJV)

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

The People of Pikeville Tennessee unanimously approved an ordinance 

making saggy pants illegal. 

Anyone caught with their pants "more than three inches below the top of the hips" 

will be guilty of public indecency. 

$25 for the first offense but not more than $50 for subsequent offenses.

(Source:106.7 WTLC Radio Station)

Change can be brought about. But like I said earlier, the time to take action is well in advance of acts that go to the extreme. Moral minded adults are produced by raising morally taught children. I can remember as a child growing up, there were some things I wouldn't even think about… let alone do. I thank God for my parents and grandparents who insisted on a standard of behavior. A standard which took as its core the principles of decency as prescribed in the Bible. Many in today's “Black Community” have no idea of morality or other wisdom's contained within the pages of this worldwide best seller… especially today's young people. A big problem that underscores this condition lies in the fact that the parents of these same young people have no Biblical foundation themselves. You can’t teach what you haven’t learned, nor can you be an example or role model to the children… your children… the ones who have grown up thinking this (saggy pants) and other insane behavior is acceptable. It just may be the case that outside intervention has become necessary in the way of regulation and fines. The real sad thing, the thing that pains my heart is in the fact that this could have been regulated in the home. Our society is real good at claiming the labels that announce to the world that they are Men and Woman. “Real Men and Women” are of the kind who are responsible enough to recognize and instill the values that our grandparents and great grandparents held so dear. When we don’t take interest and do for ourselves, we can expect others to come forward to do it for us. When they do, don’t be alarmed at the price tag that comes attached. As the old saying goes… “You Pay For Mistakes.”

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV)
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, 

it is a matter of choice; 

it is not a thing to be waited for, 

it is a thing to be achieved."

~William Jennings Bryan~

There are positives that take place within our community. These bright spots don't just happen as a matter of course. They come about when time and patience are applied. When parents, teachers, and the community at large take interest in the well-fair and the well-being of what goes into our young. Knowledge is key in the reversal of generational curses that plague our neighborhoods. Young people have to be given the tools of information, as well as the example and nurturing necessary to bring about change. Yes, it is hard work, and it does take time... but the rewards are well worth it.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Blessings,
Matt.