SO, IS IT BETTER IN THE TECHNO AGE?

SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:

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.

George Carlin
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EDITOR: Steve Van Nattan

I must add a couple:

We go to a mega church with high tech audio visuals, a boogie band and sexy worship leaders, and 20,000 members, and we are more and more lonely.

We claim our healing and name our blessing from God, and we are the most thankless generation in 300 years.

We drive by ten struggling little churches longing for a pianist, and then we grumble because the music director of the mega church gives us nothing to do.

We send our kids to "age graded youth ministries," and then we are horrified when they reach their teens and cannot talk to senior adults and little children.

We learn all about the world, science, and the latest conspiracies from Drudge and Wikipedia, but we cannot find Habakkuk. ( Can't spell it without a spell checker either-- OUCH)

You see, friend, the world is not the only place with miserable people who have everything the heart could desire but cannot find peace and contentment. The break neck pace of church activity in all churches today is a tribute to junkies-- only their "speed" is racing from home to church house to market to church house to day school to church house to bowling league to church house. And, we all are amazed that this "fine Christian family" is being busted wide open by divorce.

Do we HAVE to do the same stupid things the masses and asses do? 

I think not.


Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.