The Changing Times 

   When I look back to the times of my youth, the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s it sometimes seems as if I am now living in an alien land.  I can’t say whether there were more or fewer Christians in my youth, but they were much more visible.

   Bishop Fulton J. Sheen hosted “Life is Worth Living”, a religious program that aired weekly for many years.  His show had a tremendous following from Catholics and Protestants alike.  He listed the points he intended to discuss on a chalkboard, but first, at the top of the board, he wrote the initials JMJ, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  To this day I use that phrase to reject Satan when he comes calling.  The evil one flees at the mention of their names.

   For several years Tennessee Ernie Ford hosted a weekly variety show.  He closed every show with a promise to see us again next week “if the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.”  The Pat Boone Show closed each episode with a spiritual song.  For nearly twenty years Red Skelton, one of the zaniest of comedians, ended his weekly show with “Good night and God Bless.”

   Nowhere on network television will you see such open expressions of faith in today’s world.  I’m not suggested that television should be inundated with programs of a religious nature, but they claim to offer what the public wants.  Surely there are enough people who want to see more uplifting and spiritual shows to warrant airing at least a few.  But we will never see it; God is no longer allowed in public.

   The further we push God from our society, the further from peace and happiness we push our society.  God will not long bless a Godless, evil people.  He is all merciful and will forgive, but we must first repent of our evil ways.