Is there anyone out there, especially in the U.S. who isn't moving at 1,000,000mph?

You know, you used to move at 1,000mph and thought that was ridiculous. Have we all lost our ever lovin' minds? Does anyone, I mean anyone feel they're getting more done at this faster pace?

 What happened?

There was a time when weeknights were for watching TV with the family...when it was actually SAFE for a family to watch TV. I don't have to tell you how bad TV has gotten. (don't get me started!)

 We had real "weekends". Okay, weekly chores on Saturday, then goof off the rest of the day(i.e. for males, that means watching cartoons until a sports show comes on). Sunday meant church in the mornng and more family stuff at night...often including last minute homework.

If a meal isn't delivered through my driver's side window, I don't know how to act. (Admit it! You have the numbers for your favorite drive through combos memorized!)

Crud, even "free time" is something to be scheduled, with a definite starting & ending time. It's not enjoyable, just one more task to be completed. That really bothers me!

Do you remember looking up in the sky on Sept. 12, 2001 (a.k.a. the day after "September 11th")? There wasn't a plane in the sky. No one was racing to catch any flights because everything was grounded. A huge inconvenience to those who need to fly but, from the ground, an interesting time when thousands weren't moving overhead at nearly the speed of sound. Is being forcibly stopped the answer? Does God allow such tragedies to get our attention? I don't want to answer that yet the Bible contains many stories of peoples who were stopped in their tracks, by God, to get their attention. ...but I digress

 So, what's happened?

My personal feeling, which seems to be backed up to some degree by folks like Joyce Meyer, Chuck Swindol and others, is that nasty guy in red with the horns and pitchfork is at work. I think Satan really doesn't want us to bow down and worship him, though he'd appreciate the gesture. He only needs to get us sidetracked. That's it. That's enough. There's no "Part B". In Matthew 7:13, it reads:

...or...from "The Message": "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.".

Is our increasingly faster paced life = the path to destruction? What else does God say about it? Further back in Matthew, we find Chapter 11:28-30 (NASB) "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.". Please note I didn't put 29b in all caps! It actually appears that way on Biblegateway.com - a really good online resource for different versions of the Bible!

Okay, it's clearly an "Americanized"/semi-slang version of the Bible but I do get a kick outa' "The Message". For the same passage, it reads: "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.". Does that help? (I.e., does this version make more sense to you?) 

 I know. I know. You're taking His yoke and learning from Him ASAP. Me too! Still, we're just not getting it. In the words of Homer Simpson, "Lord help me, I'm just not that bright.". Maybe we're bright enough - we have the "head knowledge" that God says to just relax. We just don't apply it to everyday life. I shudder to think how many Scripture passages each of us has tucked away in our head...and there they stay.

I'm not happy about that. I don't know anyone...aside from Satan...who is happier about this faster paced life. Heaven knows (literally), we get a little more done but certainly not as much as the time we dedicate to it! Less time for friends, less time for family and less time for (gulp!) God. Do you know where to find "Be still, and know that I am God"? No, I don't mean in your noggin. Did you know it's found in Psalms? (I almost forgot to add that verse. I was in a big hurry...I mean  a big moment of joy...yeah, that's it.)

A few months ago, I bought an iPod from the boss's daughter, with the intention of listening to alllll the PodCasts I have accumulating on my Mac. Not trying for the "holier than thou" angle, just trying to add another layer of multi-tasking to my driving. (See reference to "Homer" above...though I do use an attached FM transmitter, not earbuds!). The podcasts are sermons/lectures by Pastor Katz and the others (Meyers, Swindol, Stanley, Olsteen). Is it working? In a word, "No". I mean, yeah, I download 'em and listen to most of them but, mostly, I listen to a growing selection of Irish/Celtic music with a sprinkle of groups I grew up with. Yup, sidetracked again. Choosing to scroll over the podcasts for the newest album by Iona. NOT good!

 Lord, help us stay focused on You and the things above, the Heaven to come to those who accept You as their Lord and Saviour. I thank You for the blessings of family and friends. Forgive us when we try to substitute meaningless, endless "stuff" for the easier life promised by You and You alone! Give us the courage to say "No, thanks" to the requests that sound good, are probably valid yet try to take us from what's important. We claim in Your word from Phil. 4:8,whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—that we think about such things. In Your powerful and holy name we pray. Amen!