After the Civil War, people from the North moved to the South, akin to snake oil salespeople. They sought ways to take advantage of vulnerable Southerners. They were con men who talked fast, thought quickly, and got rich off the poor man. They were called Carpet Baggers because their bags were made from old carpets. They were cheap then and still are.
Some individuals have evolved into billionaires who now hold significant power in our country. They spend millions to support their chosen candidates but expect to influence decisions in return. Although not elected, their appointments allow them to make choices that affect millions. What kind of government have we become? We are not a banana republic dependent on limited resources, yet our government sometimes appears unstable. We, the people, have been bought, sold, and enveloped in unlimited contributions and deception.
Unfortunately, we can't pray to and serve the same God, the Holy Spirit. We may struggle to stay consistent, and we all go through seasons when our prayer lives falter. Let's not be discouraged during those times; instead, keep persevering! Successful people consistently do what others do only occasionally. Don't be an observer in the Coliseum cheering for the downfall of others. Pray for them. Today, the false guise that religion is under attack is misleading. It is the poor and vulnerable as the rich get richer. We don’t have the common sense that it is a war of classes, generations, and white guilt from the older generation who doesn't want to discuss it. They never had, but they were tired of hearing it. Look at the churches losing members. Some of their pastors are bringing up racial equality and understanding too much. The old folks don't need those memories. They are too busy bringing the Jim Crow days back when people knew their places. Few people are willing to sit together and have an honest and respectful conversation about racism. If admitting that it exists, it acknowledges that white supremacy exists, and that's why there's a separation in this country. That would require changes all around. It's easier to maintain the way things are. Radical changes could do more harm than good to some people.
We can agree to disagree on the notion that the world is not yet prepared to embrace the divine. This perspective is firmly rooted in my belief; since the fateful moment when Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, sin has taken a deep hold within the hearts and minds of humanity. I would further assert that when Lucifer and his followers were banished from the celestial realm, Earth transformed into a battleground for evil, forever stained by their rebellion. Satan could not accept God, and man has followed Satan. Even those holding religious positions have followed secular behaviors rather than separate themselves from church and state. It’s more lucrative that way.
The prophets are no more, and the love of God seems absent. Humanity has become enamored with itself and its accomplishments. There is no one to be a voice in the wilderness to tell us to repent and that the Lord is returning. True Christians must strive to stand apart and resist conforming to this world. We are here only temporarily; our eternal life belongs elsewhere. Regardless of how much wealth and glory we accumulate, only our names will be remembered, and even that will fade into memory.
