Possibly some of the greatest problems in the church, no matter the age, but especially now is that of compromise and complacency.  These are dangerous to the work of the gospel and to the life and soul of the individual.  The “who cares” attitudes, the concept of entitlement – so why put forth the effort? – are the traits of a fool.  There is or will be a time coming when folk will have to take a definite stand.  In “Trail Ride” journal I happened to come across the following.  Ponder it for a while.

“I am part of the ‘Fellowship of the Unashamed.’  The dye [sic] has been cast.  The decision has been made.  I have stepped over the line.  I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.  I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.  I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.  I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.  I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken up for the cause of Christ.  I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me.  And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.  My banner is clear.  I am part of the ‘Fellowship of the Unashamed.'”

Now that is pretty good.  When I first read it I thought of those daring and courageous men at the Alamo.  Once they crossed “the line” they never looked back.  They realized that when they took the step across the line, the die was cast and it was victory or death.  In their case the sacrificed was demanded, but they left a legacy called Texas.
If you notice there is a major move on to discredit or disregard those heroes who would not waver or back down.  Their thinking is that we need a generation of cream puffs, a generation of politically correct people who have no guts to stand for a cause worth dying for much less one worth living for.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
–2 Timothy 4:7 (HCSB)

When I was a kid one of my favorite hymns was “The Lily of the Valley.”  Maybe because that is my birth month flower.  Maybe because it has a catchy tune.  In fact, one of the most common cowboy songs, “Little Joe the Wrangler,” is to the same tune.  But I became more mature as I aged, and began to pay more attention to the words.  The author is unknown, but there is real meaning behind them.

“I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s ev’rything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me ev’ry care on Him to roll.
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.”

In looking at this hymn for this note this morning I can see that it is loaded with doctrine.  No wonder it was so popular in earlier years.  So many of the great truths of God’s Word are seen here in just a few phrases.  He is our friend and He should be everything.  He is the One who cleanses us and makes us whole.  He is the One who brings comfort and holds us steady through life.  He has taken our grief and sorrow upon Himself and when we are tempted He provides the way to escape or to overcome.  No matter what happens in life, because of Jesus we can reach that eternal goal of heaven.

“He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempts me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal;
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.”

The concept of obedience to His will is seen and with that He promises never to leave us.  He will protect us, He will fill us, He will feed us, He will quench our thirsty soul.  Then one day, when He has kept His promise to us He will bring us unto Himself in that glory.  My mercy–this almost wants to get my ol’ feet to clogging.

“He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory, to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll!
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.”

Sin means that our lives are governed by desires and not by truth.”         –D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“You living soul, stand clear of those who are dead!”         –Dante

There are some things I don’t know, and then there are some that I don’t understand.  For example, last Friday something happened that I really don’t understand, but in another way I completely get it.  Let me give you the situation.  Elected by the people; people who knew what he stood for, knew his character, and knew his thoughts on the issues.  Elected by the people–democracy in action.  Last Friday, Judge Moore was removed from the bench of the Court of Alabama for not agreeing with same sex marriage.  Now, here is where it is confusing.  He was not removed by the people, but by a select council.  Removed by their whim and the dictates of their agenda, not the will of the people–that definitely is not democracy in action.
The cry goes out, the majority must protect the rights of the minority, and that is true.  In this case it was not the majority, but part of an agenda being performed.  The rights were not in question, but God’s law and morality was the issue.  When the rights of a small minority conflict with the majority, in a democracy, the minority must give way to the majority.
I heard twice this past weekend a profound truth, call it a prophecy if you will.  I heard two different individuals at different times say that this election is one of the most important in U.S. history.  This election will not just determine the next four years, but what happens in the next generation, and possibly longer.  Whoever is elected President will appoint between 3-5 Supreme Courts justices.  Those who say I cannot vote for either person are literally throwing their children to the dogs if Hillary gets elected.  The court will become the decision-making hotbed of liberalism.
There is also another issue, the issue of the church tolerating sin.  Jesus said “I am the truth….”  Another place He stated, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  When the church gives in to society, evil will take over.  Throughout our history it has been the church that brought a stabilizing force to society.  It is the church that brought truth, law, justice, and civilization to the ruggedness of the frontier.  Now the church has backed off and is joining forces with evil.
I had a thought last Friday (I have them now and then).  It is righteousness that exalts a nation; that is important to remember.  Godliness could be substituted for righteousness, but when godliness is forsaken that nation will fall.  Now, hears my thought.  If a person blasphemes the Holy Spirit, the Spirit leaves him and he is lost.  God’s protection in time and through eternity is gone.  Can the same happen to a nation?  Our nation is one who has known God, a nation that was built upon the principles of the Scripture.  If our nation shuns God and His principles, will the Holy Spirit leave that nation?  If so, that leaves the nation open to all kinds of demons and evil forces.  Is that what we are seeing happen now?  Barclay is right, “There is a moral order in the universe and that he who defies it does so at his peril.”
However, on a positive note.  The nation could decline and forbid it does for I am an American!  But if it does, remember God does not leave His people.  There will be the Daniels, the Jeremiahs, the Shadracks and a host of others.  God protects, God blesses and guides even in the midst of “Egyptians and Philistines.”

“Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes….  But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”          –Proverbs 1:25-26,33 (NKJV)

Lord, keep me safe on this trail I ride, and if sometimes I drift from Your plan.
 Guide me back gently to the land that I love, with the touch of Your awesome big hand.
 The stars up above, I know You named every one, and I see my name written there.
 One day I’ll ride home, peace and joy for my own path, with not one single worry or care.”
      –Cowboy’s Prayer

Thought I’d just share a few little things today and let you ponder.  It’s been a perplexin’ week for one reason or another.  Electricity out at school, electricity out at home, computer down, but my goodness the mornings have sure been nice.  I was thinkin’ more about the clouds.  Sometimes it’s just nice to relax with simple things.

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”         –John Muir

Now that’s the truth!  Problem is getting out to the mountains.  But my favorite time of the year is upon us–fall.  I really liked to get out and wander in the woods in the fall.

Here are another few thoughts to ponder.

     “I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
      I would be pure, for there are those that care.
      I would be strong, for there is much to suffer,
      I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
      I would be friend to all–the foe, the friendless;
      I would be giving, and forget the gift.
      I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
      I would look up–and laugh–and love–and lift.”
               –Howard Arnold Walter

     “Then justice will inhabit the wilderness,
      and righteousness will dwell in the orchard.
      The result of righteousness will be peace;
      the effect of righteousness
      will be quiet confidence forever.
      Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place,
      in safe and secure dwellings.”
               –Isaiah 32:16-18 (HCSB)