A "Push Buttons" Generation

I am posting something that I was challenged with today. This is a part of the book The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. Keep in mind that this book was written around 1948 to 1949.

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"I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which they had in common was spiritual receptivity. Something in them was a open to heaven, something which urged them Godward. Without attempting anything like a profound analysis, I shall say simply that they had spiritual awareness and that they went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives. They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it. They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response. They were not disobedient to the heavenly vision. As David put it neatly, "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Psalm 27:8)...

Failure to see this is the cause of a very serious breakdown in modern evangelicalism. The idea of cultivation and exercise, so dear to the saints of old, has now no place in our total religious picture. It is too slow, too common. We now demand glamour and fast-flowing dramatic action. A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar.

The tragic results of this spirit are all about us: shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit. These and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul..."

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If this was true then, how much more in today's busy culture. We must set aside time apart from distractions to seek the Lord.

I have found that with my busy schedule I need to be awake at five in the morning, in order to have the quietness and time to seek the Lord. This means disciplining my evening schedule to be in bed early. This is something I am still struggling to do. I am not naturally a morning person! What about you? What are some steps you take, or maybe need to start taking, to spend time with the Lord (apart from any distractions) daily?

Magic Andy - Episode 2: "Sledding"

Andrew's newest video. In this video "Magic Andy" takes two children sledding with him and demontrates how much easier sledding can be when you know a few magic tricks! I must say that our young friends are great actors! ENJOY!! :)

Magic Andy - Episode 1: "Andy meets The Caper"

Here is Andrew and Nathanael's latest "magic" trick video. It's called "Andy Meets the Caper." ENJOY!

So...what did you think? :)

Andrew's "Magic" Tricks

Well, I finally convinced my little brother (sorry, Andrew) to update his blog!

Earlier today he posted some videos of magic tricks that he has been working on recently. He is getting better all the time, and today he finally figured out how to make PEOPLE disappear! :)

If you would like to see the videos click here.

Happy New Year!!

Another Year Is Dawning

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you all had a wonderful day of celebrating our Saviour's birth! Let us join with Mary in saying...

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:

for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me

great things; and holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him

from generation to generation."

Luke 1:46-50

Blessed With A Safe Trip Home!!

We are home safely after 48+ hours on the road. Not always moving mind you, but on the road.

A blizzard came through Virginia shortly ahead of us resulting in many accidents (yes, we lost count) which kept traffic moving slowly, and for hours at a time, not at all. Cars and transport trucks abandoned on the side of the road were a common sight. We spent from 4:00 PM Saturday to about 6:00 AM Sunday in this kind of slow moving situation. We did keep the van running...more for heat than for moving though. In one place the interstate was a parking lot for at least twenty miles. Mom was congratulated when she was able to drive a whole five miles in three hours!!

During one of our long delays, Josh decided to walk up ahead and see if he could find out what was holding up the traffic. When he got to the beginning of the line he discovered that some truckers had fallen asleep waiting and had not noticed that the line was moving again. He knocked on the windows of about twenty trucks and cars to wake people up and get things moving once more. That lasted for a few miles before we were in another line up.

Most resturaunts in that area of Virginia were closed because people couldn't get to work, so we didn't eat supper until 7-8 the next morning. In spite of it all, it was a wonderful trip. We were blessed with safety and lots of good fellowship with a family friend who "hitch-hiked" back with us from GA. Many memories were made. We even enjoyed some good snowball fights with our friend who hadn't seen snow like that in years. Certainly a trip I will not soon forget!

Thank you all so much for praying for us, we certainly felt God's hand keeping us safe.