Spiritual Bankruptcy
A Stephen Minister's Devotional28 total reviews
Comment from robyn corum
John,
I'm a little late reading this one -- and wondering where you are. I hope you're still around.
I received your precious book and what a little light it has been! What a delightful surprise. *smile* I also appreciated the hyperbole and kindness in your personal inscription. Bless you!
Thanks!
reply by the author on 06-Aug-2022
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John,
I'm a little late reading this one -- and wondering where you are. I hope you're still around.
I received your precious book and what a little light it has been! What a delightful surprise. *smile* I also appreciated the hyperbole and kindness in your personal inscription. Bless you!
Thanks!
Comment Written 05-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 06-Aug-2022
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I'm still here. I've been a little preoccupied for the last several months.
We have just downsized from a big ole house to a smaller and more manageable townhouse. Decluttering and moving after 35 years of accumulation is a bit of a chore--but I survived.
Sorry it took so long to get the book to you. I hope you will find as much joy in reading it as I did in its writing. It was a labor of love.
And there was no hyperbole involved in the inscription. You are an amazingly gifted writer and I love reading your work. I marvel at what ricochets around in that mind of yours!
Take care and Blessings to you, as well.
John
Comment from Wendy G
Well reasoned and well presented.That sequence is insightful and pertinent. You are right in that values have been distorted, and the truth is that evil will always triumph when good people do nothing. There has to be proactive Christian work - in parenting, in teaching and training the next generation and so on. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful, and thought-provoking piece - it's still very relevant.
Wendy
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2022
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Well reasoned and well presented.That sequence is insightful and pertinent. You are right in that values have been distorted, and the truth is that evil will always triumph when good people do nothing. There has to be proactive Christian work - in parenting, in teaching and training the next generation and so on. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful, and thought-provoking piece - it's still very relevant.
Wendy
Comment Written 03-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2022
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Thank you, Wendy. Your analysis and comments are exactly what we need today. I hope we will wake up soon and return to the values that made this country great. I appreciate your review.
John
Comment from Lilly Flowers
There's so much buzz these days about how fragile democracy is in the U.S. One of our founders said to the affect that you have a republic if you can keep it.
I think spirituality is the answer, whether you're religious or not. Belief in a higher power, a greater good or however you want to phrase it is key to trying to climb above the frailties of being human. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your work. Regards, Lilly
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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There's so much buzz these days about how fragile democracy is in the U.S. One of our founders said to the affect that you have a republic if you can keep it.
I think spirituality is the answer, whether you're religious or not. Belief in a higher power, a greater good or however you want to phrase it is key to trying to climb above the frailties of being human. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your work. Regards, Lilly
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much for your insightful review. John
Comment from tfawcus
This is a chilling wake-up call, and not only for America. The sequence of the rise and fall of democracies is stated with precision, but alas, humanity is not renowned for heeding the lessons of history.
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2022
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This is a chilling wake-up call, and not only for America. The sequence of the rise and fall of democracies is stated with precision, but alas, humanity is not renowned for heeding the lessons of history.
Comment Written 01-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2022
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You're absolutely right. I appreciate you taking time to read and review my writing. John
Comment from karenina
As a prayer it is most benevolent. When faith and politics are stirred in one pot food poisoning is the most likely outcome.
When folks say thoughts and prayers are not enough it is not correct to assume they are discounting God.
They are not saying God is a fraud. They, many fine folks I know personally are praying ever more furtively for the moral strength to turn prayer into action.
Karenina
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2022
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As a prayer it is most benevolent. When faith and politics are stirred in one pot food poisoning is the most likely outcome.
When folks say thoughts and prayers are not enough it is not correct to assume they are discounting God.
They are not saying God is a fraud. They, many fine folks I know personally are praying ever more furtively for the moral strength to turn prayer into action.
Karenina
Comment Written 01-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2022
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I appreciate your comments. Your point is well taken and touches on a perspective I had not considered. Thank you for this insightful review.
John
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It is always great to respectfully share perspectives. A bit more of that and we may be one step closer to sanity!
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I wish you would share that with our leader. His address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
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Our leader(s) have been hearing from me much more than they'd like---since Watergate. Likewise, the editorial columns of my local newspaper although perhaps I am one of ten still purchasing the "hard-copy!" I'm off to review Mike's post about your post! --Karenina
Comment from Paul McFarland
A very timely article. Your prayer is right on. Your friend has given you good advice. Your definition of democracy is very insightful. This piece was educational for me.
reply by the author on 31-May-2022
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A very timely article. Your prayer is right on. Your friend has given you good advice. Your definition of democracy is very insightful. This piece was educational for me.
Comment Written 31-May-2022
reply by the author on 31-May-2022
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Thank you very much. I'm glad you found value in this writing, and I agree, it is very timely.
I appreciate your review. John
Comment from ~Dovey
Hi John,
I found your post through a mutual friend whose writing always resonates with my own beliefs.
You are both correct in your assessment of today's society. I pray that more and more will awaken to the state of our nation and lend their light to the cause to thwart darkness. That is the legacy our children deserve.
In your opening line you reference Alexander Tytler. I suspect that is a typo, as you have him as Alexander Tyler in the rest of this piece.
Keep up the Crusade for the light and perhaps people will open their eyes to the truth. I will add my prayers to yours for the regained morality of a waning nation.
Kim
reply by the author on 31-May-2022
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Hi John,
I found your post through a mutual friend whose writing always resonates with my own beliefs.
You are both correct in your assessment of today's society. I pray that more and more will awaken to the state of our nation and lend their light to the cause to thwart darkness. That is the legacy our children deserve.
In your opening line you reference Alexander Tytler. I suspect that is a typo, as you have him as Alexander Tyler in the rest of this piece.
Keep up the Crusade for the light and perhaps people will open their eyes to the truth. I will add my prayers to yours for the regained morality of a waning nation.
Kim
Comment Written 31-May-2022
reply by the author on 31-May-2022
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I appreciate your insightful review and, more importantly, your prayers. That's exactly what our nation needs right now.
You're very observant. Actually, the extra "t" in Tytler is the correct spelling. Another reviewer brought that to my attention. Thanks for catching the fact that I didn't make the changes throughout the article.
God bless.
John
Comment from Terry Broxson
John I believe you meant to quote Alexander Tytler, not Tyler, the Scottish professor. The reality is that governance is hard work. Pick any form of government you like, none of them work very well, and they all have their short comings. One could choose any number of reasons as to why they don't work well and make a case. Still you have provided good food for thought.
reply by the author on 30-May-2022
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John I believe you meant to quote Alexander Tytler, not Tyler, the Scottish professor. The reality is that governance is hard work. Pick any form of government you like, none of them work very well, and they all have their short comings. One could choose any number of reasons as to why they don't work well and make a case. Still you have provided good food for thought.
Comment Written 30-May-2022
reply by the author on 30-May-2022
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Thank you for bringing my error to my attention. I have already made the correction. Your point is well taken. Governing is a messy business. We don't have to look back very far to find examples of poor governance. I appreciate your review.
Comment from LisaMay
I do not live in the States, so my comments are from a distance. The fact that you wrote this 4 years ago says much about the descent into apathy. Nothing has changed for the better. It is a chilling thing to realise.
The points that stood out most for me in this are:
'we have descended morally from a nation rooted in spiritual faith to one of complacency and apathy, where our dependency lies with the government and no longer with God.'
"Dear God, why do You allow this violence in our school? Signed: A concerned student." God's reply: "Dear concerned student, I'm not allowed in your school. Signed: God."
'A political answer cannot solve a spiritual problem. But it can open a window through which that answer can come.'
Your 'meaningful, timely, thought-provoking devotional' was put by God into your heart. I admire your sincerity and ability to express your concerns.
reply by the author on 30-May-2022
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I do not live in the States, so my comments are from a distance. The fact that you wrote this 4 years ago says much about the descent into apathy. Nothing has changed for the better. It is a chilling thing to realise.
The points that stood out most for me in this are:
'we have descended morally from a nation rooted in spiritual faith to one of complacency and apathy, where our dependency lies with the government and no longer with God.'
"Dear God, why do You allow this violence in our school? Signed: A concerned student." God's reply: "Dear concerned student, I'm not allowed in your school. Signed: God."
'A political answer cannot solve a spiritual problem. But it can open a window through which that answer can come.'
Your 'meaningful, timely, thought-provoking devotional' was put by God into your heart. I admire your sincerity and ability to express your concerns.
Comment Written 30-May-2022
reply by the author on 30-May-2022
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Thank you so much for your review. You touched each of my favorite parts of this piece. I use the t-shirt story every time someone asks the question about why God allows these things to happen. It's usually followed by silence. God gives us free will and we've chosen to turn our backs on Him. He's let us do our own thing and this is where it has gotten us. It's critical that our nation change its course and return to Him. I truly believe our time is limited and we must act now. I appreciate your kind review; especially the sixth star.
John
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I think our time is limited too. We must put God front and centre again. Our free will has been misdirected against ourselves.
Comment from amahra
This was a great and eye-opening article. I've always shared your feelings. You're correct, this country will not be great again until it is put back first: under God, under the original Constitution, and into the hands of the American patriot. God bless you.
reply by the author on 30-May-2022
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This was a great and eye-opening article. I've always shared your feelings. You're correct, this country will not be great again until it is put back first: under God, under the original Constitution, and into the hands of the American patriot. God bless you.
Comment Written 30-May-2022
reply by the author on 30-May-2022
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I think you have summed up in less than two lines what it took me an agonizingly long article to explain. I much prefer writing simple and concise poems, but the sad state of our country forced me to dredge up this four-year-old piece. Because of its length, I'm a bit surprised in the number of views; and I'm truly thankful for people like you who actually took the time and interest to post a review. This is such an important time in our country. I'm not sure how much longer God will withhold His judgment. I believe we must turn back to Him and we must do it soon. Thank you so much for your review and especially for the sixth star. John
