As I began to write this, I found myself going into great detail with, in my opinion, the million and one things going on in our world and culture today that is so ungodly. However; I backed up for if you are a Christian, you already know this, all too well. Most everybody knows what kind of shape the world is in, and it's likely in part because,even we have given in, compromised and involved ourselves with sin. We have invited ungodly things in our homes by way of television, movies, books, games, music..., We have gone out into the world to see and do things we should have never allowed ourselves to do. We have stayed silent in our churches and failed to condemn and reprove activities that have hurt our spiritual relationship with God. We have gotten caught up in so many things in popular culture such as ball games, politics, movies, television, and computers. We have stood silent and let sinful ideas and lifestyles invade our communities and our society. We have seen changes in our churches and the way we worship that is very concerning, but often feel powerless to change. We see the world going further and further away from God and his righteousness, but sit back and do nothing, while at the same time those who oppose things scriptural and Godly proudly and boastfully speak up . They parade the streets for their cause and go before the folks in Washington demanding change. Where are the Christians at these times? Why are we not marching the streets declaring the ways of the Lord? I don't know! I wonder if we have invited so much of the world into our homes and into our lives, that we have become a friend with much sin. Multitudes flock to the pleasures of worldly events, while many of our true old fashion spiritual churches sit half or two thirds empty. Revivals directed at lost people often times result with little or no results.Most of us worry, wring our hands, say some prayers and hope things will get better, but fear they won't.
Well, we are, where we are, and we know it is not good.. Maybe I am foolish, but I believe there is still hope. I believe if we work hard, and hold true to our ways, try not compromise with sin, we can accomplish much.
At Morrison Park, God personally, has given me a job to do. . The park had been abandoned and left to wither away. It had to be restored. I have always believed there was an absolute comparison between our community and that old Holiness camp ground where so many souls have been saved, and so much good had been done before the effects of time and the change in people allowed it to get in the condition it was in. I believe the decaying of the park is symbolic of the decay and withering away of God's spirit in our own lives. We too need to be restored. We need to rebuild our lives. We need to repent and put away foolish silly, unimportant worldly things that takes so much of our time. It is time for us to get back to the duties of church, and of worshiping and serving God. It is time to reach out to the lost in a great way and share with them the gospel message of salvation and what it means to truly be reborn, and to receive the Holy Spirit as promised in the scriptures. It is my opinion, that it is time to reinstate the old time mourner's bench and to encourage it's use whereby our assurance of salvation will not be with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit within their hearts. What religion or religious practice could be more pure and sure, than the Holy Spirit telling you, you are saved? This was what we call the "Old Time Religion", the religion that saved our ancestors in those wonderful and powerful days when God's spirit was so strong in the church that lost mourners flocked in seeking salvation for their souls. Then,the converts would come off the alter with a heart felt testimony of salvation, describing what God had done for them.They most often spoke of great joy, peace, glorious love and assurances that only God above could give. What church, Christian, or Minister would stand today and openly mock, ridicule such a beautiful glorious witness and testimony? Yes, this is "the old time religion".Yes, this is the religion that saved our ancestors, our families of old. It is the only true religion, and as Paul said to the Galatians, "if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,let him be accursed". It is time for all of us to get on our knees and stay there devotedly until the Holy Spirit is in control of our lives, directing us, using us, and filling us with his wonderful heavenly love. If we all came to church, repaired, restored, and full of God's spirit, we could at least change much in our community. The lives of our love ones, our brothers, our sisters, our children, is all at stake. When we see the world as it is today, we should all cringe in disgust and fear, and examine ourselves, as to what we have done, and the part we have played in bringing about our own sorrow and loss, in getting away from God and his righteousness. These are my thoughts, and mine alone. Please pray for us, and help us in the restoration of Morrison Park. God Bless you all, Gary Bewley
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