Leland Maples's blog

Sometimes we need to be reminded by God why people think like they think and do what they do. Without God’s word explaining the reasons for such actions, our world can get extremely frustrating.

It is frustrating to see educated, successful and knowledgeable people (by world standards) think and do stupid things. Most of our problems, whether deemed financial, political, scientific or social are actually spiritual ones.

Why would so-called good citizens promote murdering innocent babies (abortion) and protest the death sentence for child molesters?

What a fascinating time in which to live. In my short lifetime I have seen some 180 degree turns in America’s culture, philosophy, politics and religious beliefs. I can remember when most of the aforementioned were pretty much black and white. There were little, if any, gray areas. In matters of faith today, most are ecumenical, i.e., meaning “one size fits all.”

Recently the U.S .Religious Landscape Survey Report II (6-23-2008) was released. That survey, which interviewed 35,000 Americans, revealed some vast changes over the past few years.

“Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32

What a strange command for Jesus to give; especially since her name is never given to us. Why should she be remembered? What benefit would her remembrance achieve?

Lot was Abraham’s nephew who left Mesopotamia with Abraham when God called him to relocate. There is no doubt that Lot was a believer.

“…there is no new thing under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9

This past month another child died of diabetes because her parents refused medical treatment. Her parents prayed for her to get better; they expected God to heal her and certainly did not want her to die. The mother stated that the family believes in the Bible, which says that healing comes from God. What heartache this family must be enduring. What guilt feelings the mother and father must be experiencing. What questions they must be asking themselves. How will this affect their faith?

In the same vein as “The DaVinci Code,” a new movie is scheduled in theaters this month entitled “Bloodline.” “Bloodline” will seek to prove that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and they had a son. Men just cannot tolerate a pure God, a just God or an honest God. Men want God to be limited to a God of love only and that love to be of their own definition. They want God’s love to be lax and indulgent toward sin and rebellion. They want God’s love to be void of justice and to never be absolute, only relative. Would you like God’s “take” on these things?

With the spring come carnivals, fairs and fun things to do outdoors. The first carnival of the year has just visited our city. Normally, this information would not affect my life, but that was before having a 7 year old granddaughter. She makes me aware of this type of data. Observation of the carnival caused me to draw some comparisons to the “new Christianity” inundating the church.

We moved our offices after the first of the year, which turned out to be a far greater chore than we had anticipated. It is amazing how much paper and things one can accumulate. When you start sorting through papers, pictures and memorabilia, you really get a chance to tread down memory lane.

We were reminded of those ex-inmates who have gone on to meet the Lord; Stanley Lee, Dr. Bob Earl, Jerry Sanders, Guy Tatum.

Those men who’s memory still encourage us to continue on: Dr. C.E. McLain, Charley Jones, Joe Russell, Chuck Palmer, Coach Jack Brewer…

One more year closer to His coming! What a great year this has been. We have watched as the Father called some close friends home to glory. We have also watched as He decided to heal some because their job was not finished here. In both cases, we remember Abraham’s words “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25)

Every month I promise myself that I will just write about good things, try not to be controversial and be positive like the popular preachers are. Something always jars me back to reality and the seriousness of God’s calling. Five years ago doctors diagnosed me with a rapid growing lung cancer and gave me a year to live. God Almighty changed that, gave me additional duties and this year the doctors announced me cancer free. Seven times each week God lets me stand before different classes and tell them about His Son. I get to serve as a jail chaplain and a police/fire chaplain.