I'm sitting behind my laptop on this rainy, wet Sunday and we have 9 more days until Christmas 2018! I love driving through neighborhoods and looking at Christmas lights people hang on their homes, the blow up Santa's, reindeer and even the Abominable Snowman guy from Rudolf the Red nosed reindeer is seen on Stony Brook Road. Families all have traditions when they decorate trees, open gifts and enjoy family time which is so important. These last few years, what has bothered me is that everybody finds something to get offended at. Recently, we were all told we had to call our trees "Holiday Trees" because it was offensive. We were also told saying "Merry Christmas" was offensive and people preferred "Happy Holidays" instead. Now I am hearing more nonsense like the nativity scenes that towns display in public are offensive and so is posting a sign that says "Merry Christmas." Or how about the latest? The song "Baby it's cold outside" which was written in the 1940's has been removed by many radio stations around our country because it is considered a song about rape. What is going on? Are we now a generation that gets offended over every single thing? I can think of many things we should get offended at both as a Christian and as an American. I'm going to list 6 but trust me there are many more we can list. Here it is:
1. PRAYER IN SCHOOLS
I am offended that on June 25, 1962, less than 2 years before I was born prayer was removed from public schools. The Supreme Court voted against prayer being allowed in schools in the case Engel vs. Vitale, unfortunately right here on Long Island in New Hyde Park. In the 1950's, the number one problem in public schools was chewing gum. After prayer was removed, the number one problem in public schools is...? Drug abuse. And it's getting worse. The argument has always been "it's a separation of church and state." Today we have to fight to get God back in schools. How sad is that? We need prayer back in schools and most of all we need God back in our schools!
2. CRITICISM OF OUR PRESIDENT
Okay, let me just say I am not one to discuss politics. But I will say that I am offended how much criticism and "poking fun" at our President I see, especially on late night television. Saturday Night Live is a huge culprit and I refuse to watch or support that program. As a Christian, I believe we need to pray for our President regardless of whether we agree with his decisions or not. I am offended that even on our news media, President Trump receives so much criticism. Let's pray for him! Okay, my political rant is over.
3. HOW WOMEN ARE TREATED
Working in a public setting, you see a lot of things. One thing I do see a lot of is how men treat women. I remember being on a crowded train and having to stand for the majority of the ride. I was shocked how not one man who was sitting offered his seat to a lady. Instead, they sat there and refused to be a gentleman. I also see men who won't even hold a door open for a lady. What ever happened to manners? Sure, people will say women want to be self sufficient but I was raised in a generation where you treated a lady with utmost respect...period.
4. HOW CHILDREN ACT TODAY (Parents are clueless)
Again, working in a public environment at Chick Fil-a, I am amazed of the lack of discipline children receive today. A parent will allow a child to scream bloody murder in public and not correct them. They will also let them run amok all around the restaurant and say things like "Hey Bud, come back to the table and finish your nuggets, sweetheart." No correction. No discipline. Instead of being a parent they would rather be a "pal" or "friend." It offends me because of the future. What kind of leader will they be as they grow up? I thank God my parents disciplined me!
5. PUBLIC BATHROOMS
This one is very disturbing to me, but I am offended that we now have stores that have Gender Neutral Bathrooms which means that if my daughter goes into a bathroom, there could be some man in a stall next to her? No way, Jose!! That is offensive. Bottom line is that God made man and God made woman. End of story. He never makes mistakes. I don't even like writing about this because it is creepy and I believe it's very evil how society has accepted this. Yuck!!!
6. DEMONSTRATING YOUR FAITH IN PUBLIC
As a Children's Pastor, I had many opportunities to share my faith in public. From 1991 - 2013 our church participated in the Town of Smithtown Memorial Day Parade. For 3 weeks before the parade we painted our float and then I had a group of church construction guys come the Saturday before to assemble the float onto a trailer. The Knights of Columbus organized the event and in my opinion did a horrible job. They always put us in the back of the parade and gave us trouble. We were the only float in the parade after marching bands, the Boy scouts and other organizations. I always had puppets lip syncing to children's Christian music and every year we were told it was offensive. We even tried playing patriotic music mixed in with Christian Music but that didn't help. We also participated in Smithtown Festival Day and had a booth. We played Christian music there as well. I remember a guy walking over to me and saying "Your music is too loud. Turn down that Christian @$%#@." Meanwhile only a hundred feet away from us, a Classic Rock Radio station was blasting Led Zeppelin. What offends me is how the name of Jesus proclaimed in public is so offensive to people yet, it's okay to have fortune tellers and New Age garbage everywhere. That's okay in society. Jesus did say we are living in the "Last Days." Boy, is that ever evident!
I'm sure there are hundreds of other things we can list that is offensive to us that actually makes sense and is not nonsense. Bottom line is during this Christmas season and during the month of December is Jesus is the Reason for the Season. So MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Enjoy this great season with your CHRISTMAS TREE and most of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!
Until next time! Be blessed today and always!
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