And We Wonder Where Is God?? O/t

A friend of mine sent this to me, and it struck a chord with me. Maybe it will with you too... if not, no biggie.




The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.


It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me at all. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.


I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.


Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.


In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.


Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.


Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.


Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'


Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.


Are you laughing?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.


Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.


Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards.


Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein
What a coincidence.....We are having revival at church this week. Tonight's message was on how people are afraid to tell others about Jesus and how we let prayer be taken out of the schools etc. The preacher asked us to ask for strength and guidance to tell others that Jesus loves them. I do believe there is a message meant for me in all this. So, I must say to everybody Jesus Loves You!.....................
Thanks for posting this Stacey!
Stacey:

I read that hearing Ben Stein's voice!

If everyone in our country could have had that intelligent of a view on God, then America wouldn't have needed the separation of Church and State and prayer in school would haven't become an issue.

I always say...to myself, when I am questioning too much...."stick with love, Sarah"....love is the way to understanding!

I often read signs that say: "Fear God"....I wish we could embrace "Love God". Simple change of a four letter word that makes all the difference in the world...IMO.

I have to say....I wish that whole: Don't spank your children thing had come out a few years earlier....*smile*, I had my share of whoopins'....hahahaha, and it did damage my little personality....didn't it? hahahaha.

Thanks for the share sweetie! Be good!

Love,

Sarah
Stacey -

Nice message in Mr. Stein's writing. And we wonder why - good title for this thread.

When I think of Ben Stein, a few things come to mind:

"Bueller?...Bueller...Bueller?"

Valedictorian of Yale University (Law)

His dad, Herb was a Professor of Economics here at University of Virginia.

He was a speech writer and served as legal counsel for President Nixon, and if memory serves President Ford.

His TV show: "Win Ben Stein's Money" - the early ones with sidekick Jimmy Kimmel. One of my favorite "Answers" on that show, which differed from "Jeopardy" in the fact that you didn't have ask a question in order to respond was: 'If Larry and Curly don't know - Eskimo!" (say it fast) :))

His passion for the political party he endorses and TAPS.

His doggie that he fondly referred to as Puppy Wuppy and frequently brought onto the set of "Win Ben Stein's Money."

Attended high school with Carl Bernstein and Goldie Hawn.

And one of his many books that I've read: "Ludes" (of course I would read that book - written in the early 80's), which was the first draft screenplay of the movie "The Boost" starring James Woods.

Speaking of James Woods, I was listening to an interview with him a few months back on PBS radio. Not only is he the creme' de la creme' in acting; he scored a few points shy of a perfect 1600 on his SAT's in High School; dropped out of MIT after 2 years because he was bored and wanted to pursue an acting career; has an IQ of 180 (go figure?) and can you guess what was one of the first movies he acted in (uncredited - you won't even find him listed as uncredited on IMDB for that movie) but I'll give you a hint - Directed by Sydney Pollock and won two Oscars - Best Music, Original Dramatic Score and Best Music, Original Song - 1974, although the movie was released in '73.

And speaking of Yale Law - who graduated 3 years after Ben Stein making precedence back in 1969 when accepted at Yale and today still setting the stage for precedence in United States of America politics? That's an easy one.

Oh well...enough of my late night ramblings. If off to beddie bye for me.

Love you bunches ~

Sammy

and please excuse any typos - I'm to tired to edit

xoxoxoxox




Stacey....Thank you & for me yup...it struck a chord also.
Ill be printing this out!!!
Love Mj
I printed it out too MJ!!
Hey Rhonda Hope your having a GOOS day...Man I got such Fall cleaning to start & yet here I sit
How ya doing today???
Mj