Dear Family and Friends,

I woke up one day with a startling thought, ‘Perhaps it’s time to stop writing these emails. It’s been well over a year and they served their purpose.’

These mini-messages, which were my small way of helping our friends stay connected to their faith, started when the pandemic was still going strong, in-person attendance was not an option, and on-line church had lost its luster.

It seems that many of you are now heading back to church. So Monday seemed like a good day to stop…so I thought.

God and Aileen started raising good counter-arguments. And as you can tell, they prevailed.

My original reason for writing, the pandemic’s restrictions on life, may have ended, but today I ask that we continue our weekly time together in God’s word with a new purpose. 

A purpose revealed after much thought and prayer. One that’s in response to what has been quietly eating at my soul.

In short, I am deeply worried about the world our children and their children are destined to live in. And I suspect you feel the same.

My friends, allow me to be blunt for a moment. Metaphorically speaking, we are swimming in the Ala Wai Canal. And when we come out of the water, we step onto ground that’s perpetually shaking, like an earthquake that won’t stop.

Friends, the reason we have this unsettled feeling in our gut is because so many people around us have lost their moral compass, the values that guide their words and actions.

I’m pretty old but I can still remember when people:

  • Took responsibility for their words and actions.
  • Didn’t intentionally lie or spread disinformation to protect themselves or worse, hurt others.
  • Matured emotionally after middle school and stopped bullying and abusing others (think social media).
  • Were deeply moved by the loss of a single human life.

There are more but my point is this – the moral values of many have changed, for the worse. 

What are moral values? Moral values are the values, validated by society, that guide our decisions to do right not wrong. Values that become embedded in us through observations, education, conditioning, and social guidelines.

I’m afraid that when societal consensus is reached on behaviors once considered wrong, these behaviors become the new right. Do you remember when ‘stupid’ and ‘shut up’ were considered swear words?

I fear that the bad behaviors of the few witnessed today will become acceptable behaviors of the many one day, perhaps sooner than we think possible.

Our daughter recently posted a video of our grandson in his karate class. In the foreground was our granddaughter who, by the way, adores her big brother. As the class progresses, our granddaughter suddenly lets out a cute scream and does a frontal leg kick. I have to admit, it was adorable. But also very telling.

Have you noticed that kids aren’t the only ones copying others? Yes, we adults tend to do the same. 

The downward spiral in our society’s moral values is not a prophecy, it’s human nature.

So, you’re asking, ‘What can we do?’

Quite honestly, Jesus and His Church are the only hope for our children and our children’s children to escape the muck called this world.

Let’s look at 1 Timothy 4 for ideas of what we can do.

First, we can look clearly at what is going on.

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 NIV

Second, we can discern if what people are saying or doing is from God, or from man. Seek the truth.

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5 NIV

Third, we can share the truth. Others need to know when to not follow what people say nor copy what they do. And teach them of the goodness that comes from following Jesus.

“If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.” 1 Timothy 4:6 NIV

Fourth, if we must swim, swim not in the Ala Wai. In other words, when we train, let’s train with godly brothers and sisters so we all become more Christ-like.

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.” 1 Timothy 4:7-9 NIV

Lastly, let’s remember that the road to recovery is long. And that the reason why we do this – why we keep fighting the good fight – is the hope we have in Jesus. 

“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10 NIV

In love always,