Departure

The book of Hosea, in essence, is a love letter from God to His people, calling them back to His ways.  His people had departed from His truth, but He did not write them off.  In chapter 10, we can
read:
12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
13 You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men.

We can see the contrast between human wisdom and the wisdom of the Lord here - the Israelites had pursued the ways of the flesh, the ways that, as the Bible addresses, seemed right to them; they had departed from the secure ways of God.  But, they were offered a chance to return.  Perhaps our world today is being extended that invitation - to embrace hope, to seek out the love of God, to find answers that the world cannot give.  He says to us, in this hour, "it is time to seek the Lord."

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When we consider some of the dangerous trends and unbiblical mindsets and actions that we see expressed in our culture, we know that there is a better way.  Jeremiah speaks of a society that does
not "know how to blush." In chapter 6 of that book, we find these words:
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the Lord.
16 Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Even though a lot of energy has been devoted to responding to the Coronavirus, we also recognize that there are trends in this world that run counter to God's principles.  The Biblical view of sexuality is being challenged today, and we have to continue to be vigilant, standing strong on God's authority.

In California, according to CBN.com, there is a problematic partnership between a PTA in the Sacramento area and the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood involving classes on sexuality.  The article states that:

Capitol Resource Institute says the Sacramento-based PTA conceals their payments to Planned Parenthood by calling the classes "puberty talks" and list them under "assemblies".

But, graphic sexual details are allegedly being shared.  And, there is a Powerpoint slide that shows what is called a "Genderbread Person."  This is a slide, using the traditional gingerbread cookie, that teaches concepts of gender beyond the accurate biological, Biblical model of male and female.

And, California law backs these "classes" up, according to CBN, which reports:

...Capitol Resource Institute found out that PTA's are not the only ones joining forces with Planned Parenthood...the actual schools are.

The abortion provider is gathering demographic data such as age, race, and gender from the students who attend the talks.

In compliance with the California Healthy Youth Act, Planned Parenthood has conducted surveys, tests, and questionnaires to assesses the behaviors of students.

Fortunately, there is an opt-out for parents, at least at this point.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Disrn.com reports that:

The board of Maryland's Montgomery County Public Schools approved a plan this week to offer, starting next spring, a new "LGBTQ+ studies" course for high school students.

WTOP reports:

Montgomery County's LGBTQ studies course is believed to be the first in the region — and one of the first in the nation to offer a course on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender history and culture ...

The article includes a tweet from one school board member, who is quoted as saying: "I am grateful that @MCPS students will soon learn about the diverse and beautiful history that #LGBTQ individuals have been a part of through this new curriculum."

We see in these two examples the expression of abhorrent sexuality and the desire to teach this material to the next generation.  The false concepts that you can choose your gender and identify with it, that there are more than the two genders that are seen clearly in biology, and the advocacy of the LGBTQ+ agenda pose a clear threat to our culture.  Lawmakers who have rejected godly wisdom have embraced the so-called Equality Act in Congress that would further legitimize these behaviors and mindsets by regarding people in special ways based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while some Christian organizations are willing to go along, if mythical "religious protections" are enacted. But, LGBTQ+ are not interested in providing religious exemptions - they want to force people of faith to accept their unbiblical agenda.

Furthermore, as Josh McDowell pointed out the other day on The Meeting House, the consumption of pornography was pervasive prior to COVID-19 and has likely been compounded.  Education and decisive action, powered by prayer, must be deployed in order to reverse these perverted ways.

It is clearly time for a change, and as so called "progressives" want to remake society, and are even using the COVID-19 crisis to do it, our culture certainly needs to change back to the old ways, embracing timeless, tried and true principles that are consistent with Biblical truth.  Being grounded in God's Word can help us guard against the delusion and deception that society is being fed.