by: Joe Talhelm
I happen to like the comforts of life. I like my car. I like my air conditioned house. I like my computer and what it does for me in the office setting. I, also, like my electric razor, dish washer, and microwave oven. I enjoy having a portable phone, cell phone and beeper. When it is cold, I like being able to warm the house with an electric or gas furnace. I guess I am very comfortable with flying in an airplane, knowing that I don't have to drive those long hours to and from places. As far as communication is concerned, I love faxes, E-Mail and chatting on the phone to my family when out of the country. Yes, I guess I am spoiled. I really do like living in an era when you can be knocked out and wake up with all your wisdom teeth out and you never felt a thing. It is nice to know that my heart, liver, and many other organs can be replaced with just a few hours of surgery. I like knowing that most diseases can be cured. I like to know that most emergency rooms are equipped with all the tools to make a tragic accident victim whole again. It is comforting to know that there are trained nurses and doctors who can correct physical problems with a stroke of an instrument. So, with these thoughts I can safely say that I like today.
Now, if you are remembering the days when you could leave your doors unlocked and not worry about robbery or a break-in, or you are referring to the days when you could go for a walk after dark and not worry about a mugging, beating or even being raped, you may be on to something. If the 'good old days' are the days when criminals were prosecuted to the fullest and the streets were safe, and if the days you are wanting to go back to, are the days when teen-age pregnancy and abortion was almost unheard of, then my friend, I would like to see those days too. If you want to see the days when pornography and smut weren't allowed on the shelves and liquor wasn't sold in the gas stations and nothing was open on Sunday except the churches, then I am with you - give me the good old days!
Let us be reminded of one thing that is the same today as it was yesterday and the day before. God's grace. The forgiveness of God is the same as it ever has been. God has always offered His forgiveness to everyone who ever sought it. No one has ever been turned down. No one ever will. You see, God is always ready to forgive if we are willing to confess. The Bible states that 'if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all our unrighteousness.' This has always been true and will always be true. So, I guess that it doesn't matter what days you count as the best days of your life, the forgiveness of God is there just for you. All for the asking. Forgiveness, good yesterday, today and tomorrow.