world on fire
On my way back to the US last month, I spent 6 days in the southern part of Greece. The country had been experiencing higher-than-average temperatures for several weeks prior to our arrival. A few weeks after returning to the US, the news reported stories of wildfires and accompanying record-setting heat waves. Now, fires are burning out of control throughout the country and historic sites are being threatened by the flames. Greece is in a state of emergency and the country is on fire. Greece is perhaps most known for its significance in ancient times - a place filled with legends and legacy - a plethora of Gods and Goddesses who each ruled their own respective facets of life on the earth, in the sea, and in the underworld. Yet the Bible teaches there is only ONE God, He who created the heavens and the earth: "ye shall have no other gods before me". Could it be that God is showing his wrath upon Greece, punishment for its years of tradition, mythology, and idolatry, with its preservation of historical sites designed to continually "honor" these gods of ancient times?
This weekend, I spent a few days in Las Vegas (aka "Sin City") with a few good friends. The purpose of the trip was to watch one of our favorite bands 311 play a live concert at the Palms. However any trip to Vegas is not complete without experiencing (or at least observing) the modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah lifestyle of pleasure and debauchery. America in and of itself has become a country that has turned its back on God, originally founded as "one nation under God, indivisible". We have our unlimited credit cards, endless forms of entertainment and pleasure, and powerful corporations who rule the country, thus there is no real need for GOD. We can do it ourselves, we are educated, successful, and confident, and most importantly we accept everyone despite their cultural differences or their distorted religious doctrines.
Vegas is perhaps the most extreme example of the American lifestyle of pleasure and entertainment - "gratifying the desires of the sinful nature" as per Biblical terminology. Unfortunately, this intense environment creates a worthwhile escape from many people's normal lives, providing the ability to "indulge" the senses in the carnal pleasures of the earthly realm. I have always equated Las Vegas to a debaucherous place and generally try to stay away as per my own ethical standards and religious beliefs, but a sore reminder serves a soul good - an example of how NOT to live your life.
After the wrath of God came upon the earth in the Old Testament in the form of a flood (see Noah's Ark story), He said he would never again destroy the earth by a flood. Yet the earth has experienced extreme weather conditions all over the world in the last several years, possibly as a warning or reminder that God is omnipresent and knows what the people are doing. God is behind the powerful forces of nature - they are NOT just random ecological phenomena resulting from global warming. Will he destroy the earth by FIRE, as punishment for our sinful lifestyles, void of God? Or will the radical Islamists pursue their quest for a one-world religion, which defies the teachings of the Bible and denies Jesus Christ as Savior and forgiver of our earthly sins? If entire countries are being punished for their sins, shouldn't we recognize the trend and get responsible for our OWN lifestyles? After all, nobody REALLY wants to see the world go up in flames.
This weekend, I spent a few days in Las Vegas (aka "Sin City") with a few good friends. The purpose of the trip was to watch one of our favorite bands 311 play a live concert at the Palms. However any trip to Vegas is not complete without experiencing (or at least observing) the modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah lifestyle of pleasure and debauchery. America in and of itself has become a country that has turned its back on God, originally founded as "one nation under God, indivisible". We have our unlimited credit cards, endless forms of entertainment and pleasure, and powerful corporations who rule the country, thus there is no real need for GOD. We can do it ourselves, we are educated, successful, and confident, and most importantly we accept everyone despite their cultural differences or their distorted religious doctrines.
Vegas is perhaps the most extreme example of the American lifestyle of pleasure and entertainment - "gratifying the desires of the sinful nature" as per Biblical terminology. Unfortunately, this intense environment creates a worthwhile escape from many people's normal lives, providing the ability to "indulge" the senses in the carnal pleasures of the earthly realm. I have always equated Las Vegas to a debaucherous place and generally try to stay away as per my own ethical standards and religious beliefs, but a sore reminder serves a soul good - an example of how NOT to live your life.
After the wrath of God came upon the earth in the Old Testament in the form of a flood (see Noah's Ark story), He said he would never again destroy the earth by a flood. Yet the earth has experienced extreme weather conditions all over the world in the last several years, possibly as a warning or reminder that God is omnipresent and knows what the people are doing. God is behind the powerful forces of nature - they are NOT just random ecological phenomena resulting from global warming. Will he destroy the earth by FIRE, as punishment for our sinful lifestyles, void of God? Or will the radical Islamists pursue their quest for a one-world religion, which defies the teachings of the Bible and denies Jesus Christ as Savior and forgiver of our earthly sins? If entire countries are being punished for their sins, shouldn't we recognize the trend and get responsible for our OWN lifestyles? After all, nobody REALLY wants to see the world go up in flames.
posted by :: Lisa :: at 1:42 PM
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