Paradox of Our Age

Many, many years ago (mid to late 1980's) a pastor from big ol' Seattle Washington visited little ol' Kansas Illinois.

I don't remember all the details, but it was some type of multi-night revival at my home church, Kansas Christian.

He stayed at our house during his time in Kansas.  I remember him as not just a funny guy, but an extremely witty one.  Full of smiles, full of laughs.

In fact, one thing I distinctly remember to this date is a joke he cracked during one of his messages at church: "The Honnolds are a really great family.... especially when they are sober."

Continuing the joke, he left a thank you note for us that contained this verse:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

His name.... Bob Moorehead.

According to what I've read online, his life/career hit some pitfalls in the late 1990's.  I've not been able to locate any recent info about him.

During his pastoral career, I'm sure he wrote many great pieces, but the one below is fantastic.  (it appears to have been inspired by one of the Dalai Lama's writings of the same name.)

Take a read.

Out for now.....

Matt

THE PARADOX OF OUR AGE

Dr. Bob Moorehead

from "Words Aptly Spoken"

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, "life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away".