Christians must tell it like it is without any fear of what other people think. I am about to do this even at the risk of showing my age. However, age is O.K.; to Christians it brings a crown of glory (Proverbs 16:31) and often godly wisdom.

Last Saturday, I cut the hedge in our backyard and found two birds' nests. These modern birds are building with sticks, straw and plastic ... much plastic. What has happened to our birds? They have left the natural for the unnatural.

Consider the construction done by modern birds. Now think about people who alter God's blueprint to "do their own thing." Some are deceived and think this is O.K. Others do not know His plan, and some just do not care. Single parents are trying to raise hurting children; all because one parent or both parents wanted to do things their way. People have embraced "a new morality" because "everybody is doing it." Children watch so much T.V. violence, brutality and murder they become callous and can no longer separate the real from the fictional. Perverted sex is being embraced as "an alternative life style." What happened to old- fashioned Bible-based living? We too have left the natural for the unnatural.

One day, when I publicly complained about foul language on T.V., I was told, "We are living in the nineties." Obviously we are, but we do not have to agree with wrongful changes. We must say, "Something is wrong! All immorality, even when it is called "A new morality" is unhealthy for our families and our society." It is time to pray, "Father, turn people to you, forgive us for being lax (indifferent, permissive, indulgent), cleanse me, our city, county, state and nation before we destroy ourselves. By the power of the Holy Spirit let Jesus be known in every place we go."

I remember when people got tired, but they were not "stressed out." On Sunday morning the streets were empty, the churches were full. People were praying and praising God. I remember when families worked out their problems and stayed together because it was the right thing to do. Children, who do not ask to come into the world, were important, and teaching them about Jesus was important. I remember when trouble with children was trying to get them to be courteous.

There was a time when doors could be left unlocked. My father and grandfather sealed contracts with a handshake because other people could be trusted. I remember when people knew that homosexual and lesbian acts were the result of rebellion against God. (Rom. 1:23-32). Cursing was hardly ever heard. People did not live according to Applied Psychology and "political correctness." They lived by the only proper manual, the Bible. Do you suppose my memory has taken me back to a time when people were happy because they lived according to God's instructions? The answer is yes, and I liked those days.

Today, many people do not know right from wrong. The wrong comes at us in such an abundance it is accepted as the norm. People have become unclean, living in untruth. Jesus said, Now you are clean through the words which I have spoken unto you. ... If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:3-7) (I urge you to read the entire passage, John 15:1-14.)

If the words of Jesus abide in us (are acquired daily), we do not build with artificial material. We are ready at all times for whatever comes our way. We know the truth and it sets us free (Re: John 8:32). We become doers of the word and not hearers only (See James 1:21-23). Therefore, let us fill ourselves with "The Word," and go forward expecting a return to the old way, God's way; all because we are asking in one accord with Him. I have spoken from my heart because I desire for people to be free from all hurt. If this letter helps you or helps you help someone else, to God be the glory.