I May Be Old Fashioned - by Jeff Grimes

Many of you on numerous occasions have heard me say, "I may be old fashion but..." However, being old fashioned in the 21st century is not the most popular choice for sure, but it is not necessarily bad. In fact, my being old fashioned aligns me with those of daring character. For example: "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein" (Jeremiah 6:16). Being old fashioned in Jeremiah's day did not win friends or influence people. That was true in Jeremiah's day and is still true today. Let me hasten to say there is a difference in being old fashioned, and being old and "cantankerous". Cantankerous means "easily angered and difficult to get along with". Being cantankerous has nothing to do with age. Remember I coach a little girls softball team! Most cantankerous people do not want to "hear the rest of the story". Their mind is already made up. They are set in their ways. This is not the "old fashioned" I'm speaking of. Let me explain in the information below why I am "old fashioned", and perhaps why others might consider me "old fashioned" as well. I may be old fashioned but:

1. I know God's Word, the Bible is the standard for our lives and that it never changes. It is finial and complete (Jude 3; 1 Timothy 3:16-17). Just as its author who is "the same yesterday, and today, and for ever" - so is His word (Hebrews 13:8; 1 Peter 1:23-25). It will judge us in the last day (John 12:48).

2. I know there is no such thing as same sex "marriages". Marriage and the home was created and ordained by our loving God for the well being of society. God made them "male and female" (Genesis 1:27). Husbands and wives complement each other in the very nature of the case (Genesis 1:24). Homosexual "marriages" are unnatural and described as "vile affections... which is against nature" (Romans 1:26-27). We are told now days that homosexuality is normal; just an alternate lifestyle. Even our President and many lawmakers believe this. But, friends there is nothing normal about such perversion. Are not our lawmakers familiar with past history? History shows that homosexuality reaches epidemic levels when society is in crisis and near a state of collapse. Is anyone out there listing! "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34).

3. I know young people should be taught to respect authority. I see to many youngsters today that do not know what "NO" means. One does not have to go far to see such rebellion. Take a trip to the local ball park, Wal-Mart, or sadly to the assemblies of the church. It's sad that daddy's and mama's, and granddaddy's and grand mama's have grown weary in teaching, training, and disciplining kids now days. One thing I was taught by my "old fashioned mother" was the meaning of "NO, STOP, and DON'T"! She used whatever means that was necessary to enforce these lessons upon me. Now as I reflect back upon some of her "classes" I thank God that she loved me enough to MAKE ME MIND! I often wonder where I would be today if mama had tolerated my talking, fighting or hitting back at her. I've lived long enough now to see her wisdom. The same "old fashioned wisdom" that I used in rearing Lisa and Keith to the best of my feeble ability. If you were to ask them if at any point in time they ever doubted my love for them, I'm sure they would say, "No never". Even though some of our "teaching sessions" were less than pleasant. The Bible says, "Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many" (Proverbs 4:10). It's hard for parents to understand that teaching children respect for authority is actually related to prolonging their days upon this earth. Because "the way of transgressors is hard", always.

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