Sunday, July 18, 2021

Sunday Afternoon Tea - Dinosaurs in the Land of Oz


A few years ago, I watched the final episode of a TV series that I actually hadn't watched very much.  It was wildly popular with young people but I was so uncomfortable when I tried to watch an episode that I didn't bother again.  I was curious what their final show would be about.  

What I saw was alarming and I hoped was not a shadow of what was to come, knowing how many high school age and millennials loved the show.  The primary story line was about two of the young women deciding to get married (this was not too long after it was legalized) and their "battle" with one of the girl's grandmothers.

To make a very long story short, the grandmother was a Christian who had raised one of the girls.  However, although the girl kept begging for her to come to the wedding, she stood firm in her decision not to attend because it went against her Christian principles.

Of course, the grandmother was demonized in the show but what shocked me the most was the speech the granddaughter's girlfriend gave the grandmother.  Telling her how she was full of hate and she could not wait until her entire generation died so the world would be a more loving place.  Cut to a choral dance number with everyone singing What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love.

There had been many subtle putdowns over the years but I had not viewed anything so blatantly anti-Christian on Prime Time television up to that point.  The irony, which I am certain was not seen by the writers or most of the viewers, was that the grandmother always spoke softly and kindly and it was the young people who spewed hateful speech.

The consensus was that everyone after a certain age were nothing more than dinosaurs still walking the earth.

On a lighter subject, during the COVID lock-downs, I heard a person say that they often felt like they were in the Land of Oz and wondered when the tornado hit that sent them there.  For there was little of what the world looked like at the moment that they could recognize as "home".

I knew exactly what they meant, the world had indeed changed almost overnight and this nation was also in the midst of political turmoil, race riots, and even within the churches there were great differences of opinions.

The world had changed overnight and here I was, a dinosaur in the Land of Oz trying to make sense of it!!!

At first, like everyone else, I was unsettled and while not actually afraid... I felt at times that feeling of being untethered.  One often does during seasons of change, when your own world does not look like it did just weeks ago.  However, the more I began to compare the changes in the world with what was written about Bible prophecy, I could once again tether myself to the Word of God.

It used to bother me that it seemed every author of a book about Bible prophecy had a different opinion of what was going to happen.  But then I heard one of the authors in an interview say that no one had all the answers, yet.  We do look through a glass darkly and he thought God allowed that on purpose.  As we drew closer to the return of Christ, the lens through we view eschatology would become clearer and clearer.

It was during the COVID lock-downs that I decided if I were to continue blogging, then I had to write more about my belief that this entire experience was a rather large birth pain that God had allowed.  No matter where the virus came from and if it was let out by accident (and yes, there is something very hinky about that story)... God still has to allow what is happening on this planet.

I knew if I talked about it, some people would stop following the blog altogether and that certainly happened.  I could tell from the amount of Amazon credit I received that a number of people had left that once entered their Amazon shopping through the widget or a link.  The amount of credit earned plummeted.

On one hand, I don't blame people at all for if they came here wanting to chat about books and tea time (which I have dreadfully neglected), then the subject of Biblical events was not what they signed up for.  

However, I prayed a lot about what God wanted me to do, from shutting down the blog completely, continuing to write about what is happening, or going back to just writing about books and such... I needed His answer and I found it as life never did return to normal.  I doubt it ever will, at least not completely back.  Pandora has been let out of the box.

What I felt God reminded me is that I needed to write about the very subjects that I needed to read.  So many churches today do not teach about the return of Christ.  When I was a younger Christian, the subject of Bible prophecy was taught a lot from the pulpit but as the churches changed... so did the subjects being taught.

The world is indeed growing darker and even as one who studied Bible prophecy since 1970-ish, I am alarmed at how quickly everything is changing.   Of course, it has been changing for a long time but it seems overnight that the fruit of those seeds planted have grown large and powerful.  

I remember when one of my kids was a baby, I had to take them out of the Easter service at my in-law's denominational church because they were fussy.  I perused the various tracts and reading material they had for people to take home and was shocked by one of the tracts.  

The entire tract was against Billy Graham's preaching and the concept that a person has to be born again to be a Christian.  No wonder this denomination strayed so far from its' founder.  It helped me understand why my in-laws, who were devoted to their denomination, were so critical of my husband and me for our work in conservative political causes.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn warned America long ago that if it kept up the way it was going, it would stop being a Christian nation and become more Socialist as Russia did long before that.  Francis Schaeffer warned America starting in the 1970s that unless there was a change in the Church, America was doomed to go the way of a post-Christian Europe.

More recently, men like D. James Kennedy gave the same warnings but as with the others, few people believed or heeded their warnings.  Rev. Kennedy often warned that our public schools and universities were becoming more anti-American each year but few believed him at the time.  How was that even possible?

Perhaps the most vocal pastor who warned what the future could hold was David Wilkerson.  He paid dearly for his warnings as he went from being one of the most popular preachers in the nation (especially after Pat Boone played him in The Cross and the Switchblade) to one of those most despised by those in liberal pulpits.  

If there is one good thing that has happened this last year, it is that some of those who have slumbered are waking up to the fact that these men (and there were women who fought valiantly against the tides of humanism) were indeed speaking Truth.

So, I expect that those who will continue reading this blog are people who also feel like dinosaurs in the Land of Oz.  I promise to continue to be as encouraging as possible because I do not trust in emotions or in our various political systems or even (especially) what I read and watch in the media... I am tethered to the Word of God and it is very encouraging!

He tells us that when we are weak, He is strong!  He reminds us that His angels are protecting us and yes, there will come a day when each of us will go Home to be with Him.  We can't choose how or when or why but we know WHO we spend Eternity with.

As I've mentioned before, I have trained my husband (kinda) to say Maranatha instead of complaining about the way the world is today.  Maranatha!  Come Lord Jesus!  I remind myself that when I start to long for the world as it was in Andy Griffith or Father Knows Best.  Of course, it wasn't perfect but it was culturally more Judeo-Christian.

In the meantime, those of us who are still abiding on the planet have a work to do whether it is praying for our family and friends, introducing our Lord to those who do not know Him as Savior, or to give a cold drink of water in His name.  

Each one of us has a purpose that only we can do for God.  Especially spending time in prayer each day for those we love.  We live in an age where many are being deceived, just as it was predicted in the Bible.  I pray daily that my loved ones have God's Wisdom and His Discernment in all things. 

Image:  Wizard of Oz movie

28 comments:

Patti said...

A hearty amen to everything you have written! I am one of your readers who comes and goes, not because your writings irritate me, but because I often disengage from blogging altogether (it takes a lot of time to read blogs!). But I have recently returned to both writing again and to reading a few like-minded, encouraging blogs (like yours).

I recently finished reading "The Unsaved Christian," and the author maintains that the vast majority of our churches are filled with those who think they are Christians simply because they go to church or said a sinner's prayer. There really is no repentance involved in that kind of Christianity, nor is there obedience to God's Word. And those of us who are truly committed to obedience and repentance are finding ourselves increasingly vilified by the world and "the unsaved Christian."

But as my pastor preached today, from Daniel, chapter 3, our God will be with us in the fiery trials that lie ahead. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we will not bow down to the idol of "political correctness" or "pop culture," even if it means we are persecuted for that.

Blessings,
Patti @ Leaving a Legacy

Marla said...

I have been reading your blog for a while although I have never commented. I especially enjoy your book recommendations but am also thankful for your reliably biblical perspective. I used to order books through your links but our family made the decision to stop using Amazon last year when we saw the level of censorship they were engaging in. I'm sorry that it has affected you. I wonder if there are others like me. Just wanted to give you a little different perspective. It may not be that you have lost as many readers as that Amazon has lost shoppers!

Anonymous said...

So thankful for your post today. Please continue to share the truth
and remind us to stand in the old ways, in the scripture. I am a dinosaur
along with you, my friend. Blessings, Sharon D.

Traveling Oltmans said...

Interesting blog today! Your words ring true, regardless of what religion (or lack) we believe in. I was speaking with my husband last night about what we do next…should we just wring our hands and complain or do something? I am not sure what to do, but we are looking. Your closing line mirrors the same thoughts, for you, prayer and helping others is key. For us, perhaps something different. But each dinosaur should help move us in the right direction somehow. Good blog today, thank you!

Anonymous said...

Just want you to know that I’m so thankful for your blog and appreciate your thoughts and reflections, encouraging words, and words of wisdom! What you have to say is so needed in these unsettling times! The Word of God is our anchor and the darker this world gets the brighter we shine! Maranatha!!
Blessings,
Laura C.(WA)

Conni said...

AMEN! You are SPOT ON in your observations and I much enjoy these posts as well as your pantry talks. Thank you!

Donna G. said...

Great post. Thanks!

Ann said...

I'm so glad you did not shut down your blog for I enjoy it very much and you often write about what I'm thinking about through the week. We certainly live in unstable times and I cannot imagine how I could go on without knowing my Lord and Savior. It is His stability and strength and courage that keeps me going when all around me seems so bleak. There is light at the end of the tunnel -- and it is not a train -- it is the return of Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Kay said...

Yes, please keep blogging as God has directed you. We must encourage one another as the days grow shorter and birth pains increase. I would miss your words so very much if you stopped. But you must do as God directs now & in the future.
Thank you for sharing what God has laid on your heart.

Suzan said...

Brenda I love your post but I have to admit to a bit of colloquialism. I have travelled to the dinosaur museum just outside Winton. Winton is a very sleepy town in outback Queensland. I thought you might talk of that.

Thank you for your provoking thoughts. I do feel out of step and have for such a long time. God bless.

Anonymous said...

Hi Brenda,

I still read your blog regardless. I don't always comment since I don't have anything to add. However, I want to express my discontinuing hitting on the amazon button regardless of what a help it is to you. Not to insult you, but to put them in their place, so to speak. Seems I'm the only one who is taking this stance that I know of. I follow conservative people who have been "discontinued" by amazon/google. So I quit Whole Foods, etc. See, my grandfather came to this country from Croatia in 1917. He became an American and fought in WWI for America. He believed in our freedoms. So long story short, I will not allow these people to bully those who should be able to have freedom of speech. They always told us don't watch, don't listen, change the channel. Did all that. When will they follow their own advice? I know, very heavy for a Monday. Not sure if you will post this, but I wanted to express my opinion. Thanks for letting me do that.

Lydia

aby914 said...

This describes so well how I feel. I was recently walking through the small book section of a big box store and I thought, "I do not belong in this world." I have the same feeling flipping through some free magazine subscriptions I receive. (I've recently realized they aren't free ~ they cost me in emotions and peace of mind and I will not be renewing.) It is only because of Christ that I can make it through.

Jennifer Williams said...

This was a wonderful post! Thank you for your wise words. Thank you for continuing your blog. You are a kindred spirit. :-)

Kathryn said...

Thank you so much for sharing regarding the changes in our world and the coming of our Savior. I could not agree more with your assessment and appreciate your willingness to write and stand on your convictions. God bless you.

Kathryn said...

Thank you so much for sharing regarding the changes in our world and the coming of our Savior. I could not agree more with your assessment and appreciate your willingness to write and stand on your convictions. God bless you.

Deanna Rabe said...

So many good thoughts in this post, friend!

The church has been slumbering for far too long. We forgot about the enemy of our souls.

I'm trusting in Christ alone for my eternity, but I am also glad to see so many awakening to what's truly been going on in our country as well as our churches. I don't think God is done with us yet, but we'll see what he has planned.

Praying about it all!

The Journey said...

yes Dinosaurs from Oz about sums it up. Not liking the 'new' normal at all. I miss when stranges would stop and talk to you in the store- a few still do it. World definitely has changed.

Mae said...

Thank you so much for this post and continuing in the faith. We Christians need to be more vocal and endure in the faith. And we need to know that others are doing the same. There is strength in numbers. Keep trusting.

Mae said...

Thank you so much for this post and continuing in the faith. We Christians need to be more vocal and endure in the faith. And we need to know that others are doing the same. There is strength in numbers. Keep trusting.

Sherry said...

count me in as one of the dinosaurs, dear brenda.
when i was younger and just learning about end times
bible prophecy i had no idea what it would "look" like.
up to and including recent years really.. but now?
golly.
maranatha, indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Debbi said...

Amen, great thoughts thank you so much for sharing.

Keri Brown said...

Oh, I'm so glad that you've continued to write about the things you write about, as the Lord has led you to do! I came here tonight because I'm feeling unsettled and tense after a day of reading and thinking too much about current issues, and I knew I would find words of hope and encouragement on your blog. How right I was, and how grateful I am that you're faithful to keep writing what we need to read!

I have cut way back on my Amazon shopping in the past year so as not to keep "feeding the beast," but when I do order from there, I use your widget, and I'll certainly continue to do so in order to offer at least a little bit of monetary thanks in return for the riches that I've gained here over the years. I'm sorry that you've felt the loss in that realm from the readers who have gone elsewhere. That's really too bad, but it's certainly *their* loss as well.

By the way, I have been meaning for a while to invite you to follow me on Instagram. I don't post terribly often, but every time I see one of your posts there, I think to myself that I need to invite you to follow me (since my account is private and you may not feel like you have the right to request access). I won't be at all offended if you don't, but it occurred to me that it feels like I'm invited to enjoy your online homes so freely, and the least I can do is to return the favor. If you're inclined to do so, I'm @keriann1970.

Anonymous said...

Brenda, Please keep on keeping on with your valued posts. Kindred Spirit Mairin.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for continuing to blog. Although I do not like the company through which I often order. I am not sure where else to order from. I have ordered many things from your button as I know it is helping your family. Your pictures are always enjoyable.

Anonymous said...

Dear Brenda, I have been reading each of your blogs every week for quite some time now but have not commented until now. Please don't stop blogging. At 86 years young, I learn a lot from you from each of your blogs during the week. But your Sunday post - that not only feeds my soul, I forward it to a dear friend of mine (when I received it by email) and she would share it not only with her two daughters but would print copies and hand it out to her bible study group who met at her home weekly. Then when they switched to Zoom meetings she emailed them each a copy. So, from all of us, please continue your wonderful sharing. We need you. Shirley near Seattle

Sunshine said...

WOW - this is such an incredible post - it encourages me to do the same. I love how you said instead of complaining, cry out Maranatha - come Lord Jesus, come! Praying for you - for boldness and encouragement, for a replacement in readership. I am SO glad you chose to continue to blog!! Sunshine

Karen said...

Thank you for writing this ..I go between being upset that things are changing is such a bad way more quickly ...and finding peace in that God has told us this HAS to happen and nothing can happen without Him allowing it ,I get distracted for a few hours with new shocking developments , and am also saddened that I helped this mess back in the 1970's, long before I repented and was saved ..and then forever grateful that I am forgiven , Praise God !!

Be Be said...

Thank you for following God's leading. Enjoy all of your posts.