I still love trains, in fact during rest time during rehab I read a great
magazine about the classic trains from the 30-50's, which all finally went away
in the 60's. Lots of vintage photos, stirring the memory. Great engines, lots
of American made freight being moved, and millions of commuters, and travelers
enjoying the dining car with the crisp white table cloths. A time when rail
travel ruled, planes were still to expensive, and you still need a way to and
from the airport. A day when REA-Railway Express Agency ruled in these
pre-UPS/FEDEX competition days. Engineers, conductors, and station masters.
Stuff we watched as kids, and then played with at home with our Lionels, before
HO took over. Great days that sadly are gone.
When coming home on I-40, the interstate version of Route 66, you follow
lots of train tracks. Leaving Kingman, a hub, the trains dot the landscape for
hundreds of miles. But there is something different about them. One I can't
remember any passenger trains, and there are no more cabooses on the freight
trains. But even stranger-no box cars, and very few tank cars. Coal cars back
east, but no box cars there either. They are all piggyback with shipping
containers. And after watching for awhile, it dawned on me, these are not
American made goods. They are all imported, mostly from China. Perhaps the
last vestige of transportation has been abducted by the Chinese. On the way to
Wal-Mart, a leisure activity of the Chinese government. Remember when they too
used to brag about all American made products?
Which tells us more about the US of A and ourselves than we care to admit.
We have become discount price driven, as opposed to quality driven. Price
rules. We no longer lead, we are a colony of foreign made goods. Which
explains all the empty factories, and all the unemployed and displaced workers.
Leaving lesser goods at a discounted price for those who can still afford to
shop at Wal-Mart, and others like them. And a steady and permanent erosion of
America-and its values. A lowering of standards, then a plethora of rules, and
finally trying to legislate morality-even invading our homes as courts now tell
families how to raise their children-or grandchildren, or foster children. What
happened to our morals? Did we sell them out too?
Jesus tells us a little leaven goes through the whole loaf, leaven
representing sin. And it has permeated our country and society. Even in our
churches, pastors have adopted programs and studies based on man's books, rather
than teaching scripture. Giving up morals for social morays of the day.
Trendy. Coexist-don't make me puke. Compromise ruins all-now that's
coexistence. Lower the standard enough, and all will hit it. Trying to teach
people to become better people on the outside, rather than a change from the
inside. Simply put-without a change of heart, there is no change of actions-or
attitudes. So if the churches won't do it, where do we turn?
First there are many churches that do-thankfully they have not succumbed to
humanism. But first turn to God. Why turn to man who is broke and weak when
you need money and strength? Go directly to God, who is available 24/7, never
sleeps, and has only your best interest in mind. No religion, no rules, no club
to join-just love. And as you find your heart changing to Him, you find a joy
that goes way beyond emotions. A security way beyond riches, and a hope a
future. But it takes trusting God. And we don't trust someone we don't
know-hey I know lots of people I still don't trust. But God is faithful-give
Him a chance.
Think of this next time you see a train. Each container car represents a
job lost, a family disrupted, and a life interrupted. Turn to God before you
end up like one of the cars, and its cargo. Jesus loves you-in fact scripture
tells us His train fills the temple. Pardon my pun.
I miss America. Don't wait until it is too late and miss God. Today could
be the day of your salvation. God bless America-but America-LET'S BLESS
GOD!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com