Changing Times

When you tell folks that you are from Lancaster, most of them picture a quiet, clean town with Amish buggies and Mennonites, located in the heart of the "Bible-belt".  That was the way it was when I lived at 448 North Queen Street - about sixty years ago.  As an elementary student I felt safe to walk to school and downtown and to explore the alleys and city neighborhoods. I really enjoyed the city as a youngster. And during that time I think folks accepted God and morality, even those folks who didn't attend one of the many churches that could be located on many of the blocks throughout the town. People generally were honest and hard working and took care of their homes and their neighborhoods.  But times have changed.  Drugs and crime and shootings can now make the city very  dangerous at times. You need to be careful where you walk, even during the day. Many of the old neighborhoods are trashy and filled with houses that are no longer cared for.  But maybe one of the worst signs of the times is the rapidly growing display of anti-Christian sentiment. And that is even a more serious problem than the decay of neighborhoods. You can see this in things like the letters to the editor of the newspaper where Christians are chastised as being intolerant and opposed to progress. People who defend moral standards are often chastised and folks who dare refer to scripture are mocked.  Even the Lancaster newspaper now has given in to public pressure and has begun to print engagements and wedding announcements for so called "gay partners".  And many outwardly praise the newspaper for doing so.  At the  annual Lititz 4th of July parade there was an entry this year by the Atheists of Lancaster County.  They paraded with their signs mocking many Christian veterans by saying they were "Atheists in Foxholes". From the look of them, I doubt that any of them were actually in foxholes, unlike the many brave veterans who were a major part of the parade. And the driver of their lead car was video taping all of  the thousands of families that came to watch this traditional patriotic parade.  I imagine that they were hoping to catch incidents that they could use as propaganda to mock the "Christian community" for their intolerance.  What a sad event to see them march and promote their agenda in this very special example of true Americana.  Then a few days ago the newspaper ran an article about an area man who had filed complaints with federal officials because a female restaurant owner in the Columbia area had advertised that she would give 10% off Sunday meals to anybody who brought a church bulletin to her.  He claims this is discrimination against those who never go to church.  And that is even sadder because this man admits that he has never even gone to this restaurant to be "discriminated" against.  Incidentally, the owner also does not even go to church but thought that this would be a good way to increase Sunday sales, just as she does to promote her business with other special offers throughout the week.  But it is another example of the growing boldness and intolerance of unbelievers.  And sadly, he will probably win his complaint because the ACLU has won similar battles elsewhere.  I certainly hope that this senior complainant does not ever take a senior discount at a restaurant.  Certainly that discriminates against those who aren't yet seniors.  Well I guess that is just another sign of the times.  And when this attack  becomes so obvious in Bible-belt Lancaster, it just provides more evidence of the decline of this great country as Satan sharpens his attacks.  Lancaster certainly is no longer your father's Lancaster.  And neither is this country your father's country.  As a country we have become bankrupt both economically and morally.  But our hope is the knowledge that God is in control and in the end He wins. Conditions here on earth may change drastically, but He is immutable, unchanging, and His plans for us and His people will never change.