When those of us who were born in the 30's, 40's and even the 50's, were growing up, the world was not nearly as sordid and evil as it is now. There was enough evil to tempt us...but not enough to make us 'Sick' like it is today!!!
I'm just talking about kids who were and are.... being raised in a reasonably moral home...not some of the hovels some kids are in today. Those have two strikes against them to begin with and I really feel for them!
So...are the kids growing up today in a position to better avoid the evil...or is it as tempting or even more so, to some of them as it was to us? Are they more fortunate to be young today or were we more fortunate in our time of growing up?
What about Noah's sons? Noah's family was the only righteous family in the whole world. How hard it must have been for them, yet they had all remained in God's favor. They could tell us a thing or two about peer pressure! .
Genesis 6: 5-12
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. I stand watch in america's halls of justice. I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up at me and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I am recognized all over the world. I am saluted. I am loved, I am respected...and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysbury, Shiloh and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anziok, Rome and the beaches of Normandy. Guam, Okinawa, Korea, KkheSan, and Saigon, Vietnam.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud. I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible. I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country..And when it's by those whom I've served in battle, it hurts.
But I shall overcome...for I am strong. I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon. I have born silent witness to all of America's finiest hous=rs. But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield, When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier, Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, I am proud.
