BLACK FRIDAY 2011

1Tim 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 

 

I have been thinking about this “Black Friday” stuff.  You have probably been hearing about it in the news or you may have received the ads in the mail.  If you haven't, you can be sure that Sunday's and Thursday's papers will be chocked full of ads, that we will be taking straight to the recycle bin. Some of the retail stores are in competition to see who can open the earliest in the hopes of getting shoppers out to their store to spend money and possibly charge themselves into debt snatching up all the “bargains.”

 

Some of the stores are opening at early as 9:00 pm on Thanksgiving or at midnight, which means the workers at these stores will have to leave their families at some point on Thanksgiving day to get some sleep so they can leave to go to work at these stores. All so that some “lucky shopper" might get a bargain! Really, is that what life has come to. Is that what we are really thankful for? 

 

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time where we are to be thankful to God for His entire blessing that He has bestowed upon us. A time to be with family and friends as we celebrate the goodness of God.  Anymore families are burdened with trying to have some quality family time and then the world system has added further stress by creating “Black Friday”.

If the stores are doing the consumers such a great service by having these sales, then why don’t they sell the products at the sale price throughout the year?  BECAUSE, it is not about giving the consumer a bargain. It is about the store pursuing the all mighty dollar.  EVEN if that means that the true cost is losing our time with family and being thankful to God.  The only thing the stores are thankful for is that they will be full of shoppers on “Black Friday.”

I know some people will have to work those crazy hours on “Black Friday”  because it may be the only job they have.  I truly feel badly for you.  Those who get up and go shopping that early and fight the crowds, so you can get a bargain are “nuts.”  In recent years, there have been injuries and even deaths attributed to "Black Friday", all to get a special deal.  I have to ask, was it worth losing time with your family on Thanksgiving? 

• In 2008, a 34 year old Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by shoppers who would receive $20 off a PS3.  $20???? 
• In that same Wal-Mart in 2008, a pregnant woman miscarried at 8 months, likely due to the stress of the situation.
• Also in 2008 at a California Toys-R-Us, two fathers got into a fight, both got out guns, they both ended up killing each other in the exchange.  The sad part- both men had brought their families and their children watched their fathers die. 
• Again, at Wal-mart, a woman was trampled while waiting to get $100 off of a laptop.  The woman is now paralyzed, for life, as a result.

As for myself, I choose not to participate in the craziness, I will instead be thankful to God that I have time to spend with my family and friends over some delicious food.

 

 

Source- Ranker.com

My heart is Yours

Matt 23:37-39 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’


As I was reading my bible the other day, I read these verses. It made me think about how many churches and denominations that have rejected the move of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because it did not come the way we expected? Maybe the board disapproved, or leadership did not like what was happening? Maybe the congregation was against what God was doing?

The other question is, can we do that with our lives as well? Do we reject the work of the Holy Spirit, when we refuse to accept what Jesus wants to do in our lives?

I have heard for many years from certain people that they want an old fashion revival, not some of this “new stuff” that is going on today. (Whatever that means?) But as of yet, I have not seen any move of God in their churches. Others talk about the “latter rain” movement and how we need another outpouring, but my question is would we recognize it? I have heard it said that “If the Holy Spirit left the church, 90% of the churches would just keep on going on as usual.”

There is no question that we need a revival, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is let me not criticize what God is doing, but let me recognize the time of visitation and allow God to do with my life whatever He desires.