Your ears are not yet closed to the sublime language of truth; your heart is made to feel its charms.”
–Fenelon

“What we are is God’s gift to us; what we become is our gift to God.”
–unknown

Ha, ha, ha, now it all makes sense. All of the gibberish that we now hear there is a scientific answer for it. Ha, ha, ha, I just knew it. Read below from the Associated Press.

“The barks, yacks and wa-hoos of the Guinea baboons reveal distinct human-like vowel sounds, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Plos One by scientists from six universities in France and Alabama…
“‘Language is a key difference between humans and the rest of the natural world, but the origin of our speech remains one of the greatest mysteries of science,’ the scientists wrote.”

The “woahs” that we hear sung, is simply the song of the baboon. I used to laugh at it, but now I know it comes from the language of early man. Our language is just a modern form of baboon. But, what a minute. Is the baboon Slavic or Germanic? Is it Chinese or Bantu? Hmmm, maybe there is a baboon that speaks the ancient language of the Cheyenne or the Cossack.
This reminds me of what Paul wrote, “Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].”(Romans 1:22 AMPC) The Phillip’s translation puts it this way, “Behind a facade of ‘wisdom’ they became just fools, fools who would exchange the glory of the eternal God for an imitation image of a mortal man, or of creatures that run or fly or crawl.” (1:22-23)
Perhaps they have been watching too many “monkey movies” (in fact, I think there is another one coming out this summer.)  Man was made in God’s image, therefore, he has dignity.  Why, oh why, do we want to digress and become a baboon?  Now I fully understand that so much of what we hear from the politicians and from the media is pure gibberish, so maybe there is some truth as to the baboon talk.  Or maybe, it is just that particular species of man that is baboonish.
Hmmm, that is a new word to add to my massive vocabulary.  I normally use terms that are no longer allowed to be used in our society:  moronic, idiotic, imbecilic now there is a new term that must surely be politically correct–baboonish.
At least there was one thing correct, “The mysteries of science.”  Science doesn’t know it all and is not absolute.  It continues to change.  To the Secular Humanist it is all they have for the answers to life.  Shame.  Why is it they do not want to believe in a Creator?  In it, they have become “fools.”

Any nation at any time–however spiritually alive–is always potentially only a generation away from paganism and mind-defying evil.”
–Ravi Zacharias

“Paul was devoted to a Person not to a cause.  He was absolutely Jesus Christ’s, he saw nothing else, he lived for nothing else.”
–Oswald Chambers

Sometimes I just don’t get it (no, more like most time).  When we see the times around us; the condition of the nation and the world, I don’t get it.  When the moral standards continue to drop and abominations rise up, I don’t get it.  When there are signs and tremors and wars and confusion, I don’t get it.  The “it” I’m referring to is the lackadaisicalness among Christians.
Then I go back and read the prophets of the Old Testament.  No wonder Jeremiah was in exasperation at the people of Israel.  Joshua declared that the people would not keep their word and not keep the standards established by God, and sure enough one generation removed and Israel is in a mess.
We could cite several reasons for our dilemma, but one will suffice here.  People in the church today leave the things of the faith; they leave the principles of doctrine.  The Word has become secondary or even lower in the order of service most Sundays.  I read where most people not of the “Boomer” generation state that fellowship is the most important reason for church followed by “worship.”  I put worship in quotation marks because the vast majority of people do not even understand what worship really is.
A.W. Tozer wrote a few years back, “In our day, we seem to overlook the divine principle of what ought to happen in the life of a truly born-again man.”  Change must occur!  The old is gone, man is now a new creation, yet it seems that many persist in clinging to the old life and any attempt to bring that to their attention they will cry “legalism.” 
The writer of Hebrews states, “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” (6:1, NKJV)  I like the way the NLT reads, “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.”  In other words, quite playing games and grow up.  Mature in your understanding, “Go on to perfection” (KJV).
There are a host of gimmicks and gadgets and hypes out there, but very little conviction.  There is plenty of those who peddle a brand of Christianity, but neglect the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Go back to the Word; then let the Holy Spirit enrich it to your soul.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.”
–2 Timothy 4:3 (NASB)

I remember trips taken as a kid with Mom and my Grandma Jones to Denver. Often we would go to certain restaurants to eat. It was required that Grandma tell a story when we left Boulder. She would tell the same story over and over. It always ended with a bear jumping off a bridge into the lake that we passed over.
There are stories that should never be repeated, but there are some stories that should be repeated over and over. The Scriptures and the stories of men and women of old should be told like that. The story of the Incarnation (Christmas) and the crucifixion and resurrection should continually be repeated. The story of how God sent His only Son to died for mankind should be told.

“Tell me the old, old story Of unseen things above;
Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, As to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, And helpless and defiled.”
–Kate Hankey

These are stories meant to be told around the fireplace or the campfire. They are stories to be read sincerely and earnestly. These are stories that should be told not in frivolity, but in seriousness. They are stories that contain the thought of eternal life, and how man can obtain it. These are stories, no matter how old, that are always are refreshing to the soul.

“Tell me the story softly, That I may take it in,–
That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, For I forget so soon,
The ‘early dew’ of morning Has passed away at noon.”

In this world of fear, terror, and danger, these stories should be a comfort. To see how God worked and provided and cared for His people in the past should give comfort in the present. These are stories to help us through the cares of the world, help us in times of fear and sorrow. These are the stories that give us courage to face the onslaught of the enemy.
Read or hear a good story and you become part of it. You see yourself with the characters and can identify with them. Tell these stories over and over and they become part of you. You are one with them for now, because of the experiences of life, you can relate.

“Tell me the same old story When you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world’s glory Is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: Christ Jesus makes thee whole.

Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.”

Remember, He is with you; He cares for you. The story is old, but the truth is reality.

“Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.”
–Psalm 66:16 (NASB)

To raise a child without shame is to raise one with no immune system against evil…. To remove shame is to perpetuate evil even toward the ones we love.”
–Ravi Zacharias

“Our safety is in having lofty ideals, and in constant labor to secure their realization. Let the getting of money be a man’s ideal, and he will of necessity grow toward the dust; let a man hunger and thirst after the kingdom of God, and he will grow into strength and enjoy an unspeakable peace.”
–Joseph Parker

One thing a person learns very quickly if they are being properly trained is that there are consequences for mistakes. The time to begin to teach this is when raising children; the consequences are not nearly so severe. As one gains age, seemingly the consequences of their actions become more acute and harsh.
Parents, for some reason, want to protect their children from the reality of life. Now some of that is understandable, but most of the time it is because they do not want to be embarrassed. Most of the time when I have met with parents over the thirty-nine years of my teaching experience there came forth excuse or blame. The purpose of conferences was to help the child, find a solution, find a reason for the action or behavior.
If parents, really if all of us, truly sought the kingdom of God many problems would be solved. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, NASB)? We get too caught up with the drive for success, or the trophies and ribbons, or the honor roll, or standing ovations and the accolades that we forget the spiritual aspect. What do these things have to do with the kingdom of God?
Too often we seek the things of the world. We seek false success and pseudo fame. Are we giving our souls and that of our family over to the world simply because we do not seek after righteousness. In fact, most of the time the cry goes out “legalism” when one begins to talk of living a righteous life.
Let this year, 2017, be one where the kingdom of God is sought. Let us seek after righteousness and put aside worldly affections. What is honorable not what is expedient. What brings glory to God not what can I get out of it. Seek ye first….

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”
–Matthew 6:33 (AMP)