Pastor R.D. Trapani -
the paradox
The paradox of our time in history
-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.
What can we do?
- Remember, 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 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
-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.
What can we do?
- Remember, 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 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
Haggai 1
A Call to Build the House of the LORD
1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the
sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the
prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor
of Judah, and to Joshua [a] son of Jehozadak, the high
priest:
2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people
say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to
be built.' "
3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet
Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in
your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful
thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have
harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You
drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are
not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse
with holes in it."
7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful
thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and
bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take
pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You
expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What
you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD
Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin,
while each of you is busy with his own house. 10
Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld
their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought
on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new
wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men
and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."
A Call to Build the House of the LORD
1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the
sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the
prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor
of Judah, and to Joshua [a] son of Jehozadak, the high
priest:
2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people
say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to
be built.' "
3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet
Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in
your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful
thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have
harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You
drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are
not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse
with holes in it."
7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful
thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and
bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take
pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You
expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What
you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD
Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin,
while each of you is busy with his own house. 10
Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld
their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought
on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new
wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men
and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."
Scripture Reading:
11Therefore encourage one
another and build each other up,
just as in fact you are doing.
1st Thessalonians 5:11-23
(NIV)
Overseers and Deacons:
1Here is a trustworthy saying: If
anyone sets his heart on being
an overseer,[a] he desires a
noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1-7,
1 Timothy 3:8-13 (NIV)
What Must Be Taught to Various
Groups:
1You must teach what is in
accord with sound doctrine.
Titus 2:1-14 (NIV)
13Submit yourselves for the
Lord's sake to every authority
instituted among men: whether
to the king, as the supreme
authority, 14or to governors,
who are sent by him to punish
those who do wrong and to
commend those who do right.
15For it is God's will that by
doing good you should silence
the ignorant talk of foolish men.
16Live as free men, but do not
use your freedom as a cover-up
for evil; live as servants of God.
17Show proper respect to
everyone: Love the brotherhood
of believers, fear God, honor the
king.
1 Peter 2:1-25 (NIV)
11Therefore encourage one
another and build each other up,
just as in fact you are doing.
1st Thessalonians 5:11-23
(NIV)
Overseers and Deacons:
1Here is a trustworthy saying: If
anyone sets his heart on being
an overseer,[a] he desires a
noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1-7,
1 Timothy 3:8-13 (NIV)
What Must Be Taught to Various
Groups:
1You must teach what is in
accord with sound doctrine.
Titus 2:1-14 (NIV)
13Submit yourselves for the
Lord's sake to every authority
instituted among men: whether
to the king, as the supreme
authority, 14or to governors,
who are sent by him to punish
those who do wrong and to
commend those who do right.
15For it is God's will that by
doing good you should silence
the ignorant talk of foolish men.
16Live as free men, but do not
use your freedom as a cover-up
for evil; live as servants of God.
17Show proper respect to
everyone: Love the brotherhood
of believers, fear God, honor the
king.
1 Peter 2:1-25 (NIV)
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