Madeline Crabb
What America needs most: gratitude
By Madeline Crabb
One of my favorite songs of the late Michael Jackson, the Man in the Mirror, speaks of introspection and self-examination. The chorus says, "If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change." I submit that all of America's mounting problems can be solved if individual Americans, all of us, take a look at ourselves and then make a change.
This column is the first of several in a series about the real reasons behind our problems, and the changes needed to solve them. The first subject, gratitude, lies at the heart of the problem. The topic came to me while I was recently in the hospital for another bout of respiratory disease.
God has His reasons for allowing sickness. Sometimes it causes people to be thankful for good health when they have it. I am always thankful, even for the smallest things. God's Word says that in everything we are to give thanks. (1 Th 5:17) Considering the health battles I've fought over the past year, I am grateful my God has brought me through. I realize some things are much worse than pneumonia, so I don't take lightly the healing He provides. The Bible says God knows the number of hairs on our heads, and sees every sparrow that falls. He is a God of details and a God of love and compassion. Without God and His provisions, we can do nothing. So, as His children, His creation, we should pay attention when we are allowed to be sick.
Just as individuals should pay attention when we are sick, nations should do so as well. America is battling life-threatening disease. While many Americans see various symptoms manifesting, they continue their eating, drinking, and merriment, as in the days of Noah, not understanding that tomorrow, our nation may die. Still others are aware of the sickness, but instead of seeking proper treatment, they blame others for the disease, thereby abdicating their role in perpetuating, spreading the disease. Mostly, government gets the blame for all our problems and the epidemic of evil that are destroying this nation. Yes, government plays a big role. But, WHO is responsible for government? Uh, that would be individual Americans. In other words, each of us has some responsibility for our sickness.
So, back to the subject of gratitude...I contend we are a nation of ungrateful, selfish, self-centered, entitled, spoiled brats. The generations of those who lived through the Great Depression and World War II are almost gone. Those people understood what suffering and sacrifice were about. They took responsibility for their plight and did what was necessary to provide for their families – to survive.
In America today, however, even those called poor live like kings compared to citizens in most countries around the world. Why? Because we have become a lustful, greedy nation of people who want what they want and are willing to beg, borrow, or steal to obtain it. We feel we deserve it all, and demand someone provide it if we aren't willing to obtain it for ourselves. We are nothing but spoiled children having tantrums when we don't get our way. Sadly, about half the population fits this category; the other half of the population is comprised of a dwindling number of responsible, working Americans who are forced, basically at gunpoint, to give the brats what they want. This is now known as redistribution of wealth – Socialism.
During the Great Depression, we had a president and other government officials who were nothing more than opportunists who began to help America enter into this slide into Socialism that now plagues us. The Courts attempted to stop Franklin D. Roosevelt's "social justice" programs, but were stopped when he threatened to pack the Courts with those who would do his bidding. Sadly, FDR got his way. Everyone fell into line, our Republic began to decrease, and the United Socialist States of America was truly born. And since then, scores of opportunistic men and women, some Socialist sympathizers, others full-blown
Socialist/Communists, have become part of the government system lording its increasing will and power over the America people. And yet, isn't it We the People who have allowed it to happen? These so-called "representatives" of the people must be elected to their positions. So if they are evil and the cause of all our problems, then we must want evil leaders. Hello?!
For half the American population that partakes in some kind of government largesse, it is understandable why they want Socialists in government. They actually believe it's the role of government to provide for them. What these folks don't know, and don't care about, is that they have sold their souls for a government handout.
The so-called benevolence of elected officials is not endorsed by our Constitution, and is self-serving for these officials to gain power over the people. They want to have their cushy jobs forever and ever. In fact, a position in government as an elected official is one of the cushiest "jobs" in America. All one has to do is tell enough people enough lies to get re-elected every two, four, or six years, and then live like kings until the next election. And when their time is done, they either hit the lecture circuit like former presidents and receive ungodly fees, or become lobbyists like so many former congressmen and senators who generally become filthy, stinking rich. And for those who think there should be laws against such "influence" being used, generally against the public interest, think again. Why would a politician vote against anything affecting his potential "gravy train?" It's called greed. A growing number of citizens want term limits for Congress. But, what congressman would vote to limit his time to reap all the rewards his "public service" (choke) offers?
Isn't it greed that created this whole mess in the first place? Instead of being grateful for what we have, and giving thanks to the God for our many blessings, we want more, more, more. And, like FDR, if someone isn't doing our bidding, we will replace them with someone who will do things our way. Even though the symptoms of our ingratitude and greed are plentiful, and show we are rapidly destroying ourselves, even those people who still work, pay taxes, and generally act responsibly, are not actively participating in eradicating the disease. Thus, America is dying.
Has everyone just given up, thinking this state of affairs is inevitable? Have we all concluded that government cannot be stopped? that We the People don't have any power to change things? Where are the godly church leaders who are supposed to be warning us about impending disaster? How about preachers actually preaching about the consequences of self-centered ingratitude? Perhaps they can't preach on the subject because they have not been content with God's provisions and have gone the worldly route of acquiring more, more, more, despite the means of doing so.
The following Scripture will be used throughout this series, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." (2 Tim. 3:1-5 NIV)
This Scripture is a picture of America. We don't have to discuss the many ways in which these traits are manifest. In fact, we have reached a point in America where these behaviors/attitudes are the norm, to our disgrace.
So, the question must be asked: What are we going to do about it? Like Michael Jackson sang, we need to look at the man in the mirror, and ask him to change his ways. If we want to make America a better place, we need to take a look at ourselves and then make a change. A good starting place is giving thanks to God for all that He has done for us as individuals, and for our nation. Once we get started on thanking Him, we are reminded of many more things we can thank Him for. He is looking for grateful hearts. May that be the state of your heart! To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
May 8, 2014
One of my favorite songs of the late Michael Jackson, the Man in the Mirror, speaks of introspection and self-examination. The chorus says, "If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change." I submit that all of America's mounting problems can be solved if individual Americans, all of us, take a look at ourselves and then make a change.
This column is the first of several in a series about the real reasons behind our problems, and the changes needed to solve them. The first subject, gratitude, lies at the heart of the problem. The topic came to me while I was recently in the hospital for another bout of respiratory disease.
God has His reasons for allowing sickness. Sometimes it causes people to be thankful for good health when they have it. I am always thankful, even for the smallest things. God's Word says that in everything we are to give thanks. (1 Th 5:17) Considering the health battles I've fought over the past year, I am grateful my God has brought me through. I realize some things are much worse than pneumonia, so I don't take lightly the healing He provides. The Bible says God knows the number of hairs on our heads, and sees every sparrow that falls. He is a God of details and a God of love and compassion. Without God and His provisions, we can do nothing. So, as His children, His creation, we should pay attention when we are allowed to be sick.
Just as individuals should pay attention when we are sick, nations should do so as well. America is battling life-threatening disease. While many Americans see various symptoms manifesting, they continue their eating, drinking, and merriment, as in the days of Noah, not understanding that tomorrow, our nation may die. Still others are aware of the sickness, but instead of seeking proper treatment, they blame others for the disease, thereby abdicating their role in perpetuating, spreading the disease. Mostly, government gets the blame for all our problems and the epidemic of evil that are destroying this nation. Yes, government plays a big role. But, WHO is responsible for government? Uh, that would be individual Americans. In other words, each of us has some responsibility for our sickness.
So, back to the subject of gratitude...I contend we are a nation of ungrateful, selfish, self-centered, entitled, spoiled brats. The generations of those who lived through the Great Depression and World War II are almost gone. Those people understood what suffering and sacrifice were about. They took responsibility for their plight and did what was necessary to provide for their families – to survive.
In America today, however, even those called poor live like kings compared to citizens in most countries around the world. Why? Because we have become a lustful, greedy nation of people who want what they want and are willing to beg, borrow, or steal to obtain it. We feel we deserve it all, and demand someone provide it if we aren't willing to obtain it for ourselves. We are nothing but spoiled children having tantrums when we don't get our way. Sadly, about half the population fits this category; the other half of the population is comprised of a dwindling number of responsible, working Americans who are forced, basically at gunpoint, to give the brats what they want. This is now known as redistribution of wealth – Socialism.
During the Great Depression, we had a president and other government officials who were nothing more than opportunists who began to help America enter into this slide into Socialism that now plagues us. The Courts attempted to stop Franklin D. Roosevelt's "social justice" programs, but were stopped when he threatened to pack the Courts with those who would do his bidding. Sadly, FDR got his way. Everyone fell into line, our Republic began to decrease, and the United Socialist States of America was truly born. And since then, scores of opportunistic men and women, some Socialist sympathizers, others full-blown
Socialist/Communists, have become part of the government system lording its increasing will and power over the America people. And yet, isn't it We the People who have allowed it to happen? These so-called "representatives" of the people must be elected to their positions. So if they are evil and the cause of all our problems, then we must want evil leaders. Hello?!
For half the American population that partakes in some kind of government largesse, it is understandable why they want Socialists in government. They actually believe it's the role of government to provide for them. What these folks don't know, and don't care about, is that they have sold their souls for a government handout.
The so-called benevolence of elected officials is not endorsed by our Constitution, and is self-serving for these officials to gain power over the people. They want to have their cushy jobs forever and ever. In fact, a position in government as an elected official is one of the cushiest "jobs" in America. All one has to do is tell enough people enough lies to get re-elected every two, four, or six years, and then live like kings until the next election. And when their time is done, they either hit the lecture circuit like former presidents and receive ungodly fees, or become lobbyists like so many former congressmen and senators who generally become filthy, stinking rich. And for those who think there should be laws against such "influence" being used, generally against the public interest, think again. Why would a politician vote against anything affecting his potential "gravy train?" It's called greed. A growing number of citizens want term limits for Congress. But, what congressman would vote to limit his time to reap all the rewards his "public service" (choke) offers?
Isn't it greed that created this whole mess in the first place? Instead of being grateful for what we have, and giving thanks to the God for our many blessings, we want more, more, more. And, like FDR, if someone isn't doing our bidding, we will replace them with someone who will do things our way. Even though the symptoms of our ingratitude and greed are plentiful, and show we are rapidly destroying ourselves, even those people who still work, pay taxes, and generally act responsibly, are not actively participating in eradicating the disease. Thus, America is dying.
Has everyone just given up, thinking this state of affairs is inevitable? Have we all concluded that government cannot be stopped? that We the People don't have any power to change things? Where are the godly church leaders who are supposed to be warning us about impending disaster? How about preachers actually preaching about the consequences of self-centered ingratitude? Perhaps they can't preach on the subject because they have not been content with God's provisions and have gone the worldly route of acquiring more, more, more, despite the means of doing so.
The following Scripture will be used throughout this series, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." (2 Tim. 3:1-5 NIV)
This Scripture is a picture of America. We don't have to discuss the many ways in which these traits are manifest. In fact, we have reached a point in America where these behaviors/attitudes are the norm, to our disgrace.
So, the question must be asked: What are we going to do about it? Like Michael Jackson sang, we need to look at the man in the mirror, and ask him to change his ways. If we want to make America a better place, we need to take a look at ourselves and then make a change. A good starting place is giving thanks to God for all that He has done for us as individuals, and for our nation. Once we get started on thanking Him, we are reminded of many more things we can thank Him for. He is looking for grateful hearts. May that be the state of your heart! To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
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