Timeout!.. I got something in my eye

Persecution for my faith? I think the closest thing I encounter as persecution of my faith is going to church Sunday morning where this miserable cold MinneFROZEta winter mocks me for leaving my warm home. "You fool, you fool!" cries old man winter as we now enter yet another day with below zero temps.
Persecution 2000 years ago looked allot different. After the first Christian movement begins at Pentecost in Acts 2 the church grows. In response the religious establishment of the day is outraged and fights them for the next 26 chapters of Acts. This first century church perseveres through REAL PERSECUTIONS that make my cold Minnesota mornings feel like a warm summer day.
Peter and John are imprisoned for what I like to call 'inciting a revival', Stephen is stoned to death, and then Paul enters the scene and is blinded, beaten, stoned, snake bit, shipwrecked, and in and out of jail more than Otis from the old Andy Griffith show.

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So 2000 years later I am sitting in my warm home in a country that has allowed me freedom to worship. While it is below zero again outside, I have my gas fireplace warming me as I type. Real persecution? That is what I read about in the book of Acts or in a mission report from somewhere in this big old bad world.. but here at home in America? Not so much. Not really.

Timeout! Timeout! I have something in my eye!
But what I do suffer from is distractions of this rush hour life with 24/7 stimulus from my TV blaring often the profane, vulgar, and less inhibited lifestyles of the rich and famous. Our pop culture society at the very least mocks traditional Bible teaching. 
When I am not bombarded with images of societies distorted views on beauty, and sexuality, I am tempted with other images of things I want... AND I DO WANT THEM. The new computers, smartphones, HD TV sets, tablets, sound systems and more. More compromise of my desires and my pocketbook.
STOP THE MADNESS, my brain is full, and I need VISINE! 

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It is an easy topic for to ramble on as you can tell, but instead I pray .. the body of Christ not be distracted by any compromised society.
I pray .. our words and actions not deter us from God's two greatest commandments. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and care for others in need and love them as ourselves. 

My God find us all faithful, and in all things.. To God be the Glory!

Blessings, Jeff (Visine user in the back pew) Larson

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