Is there ever enough time?
January 18, 2009
Marie Jon, RA analyst
People can become frustrated because they don't have enough time to do everything they need to do. Too often they find that life doesn't provide them enough time to do more than one or two things as well as they would like. It's very important that we learn to manage our time. None of us want to have nagging regrets that we didn't accomplish everything we hoped to do before our days run out.
In 1939, the New York World's Fair was held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The fair's attractions and new innovations promised Americans a happier and brighter tomorrow. Promising new technologies held out a brand-new era where people wouldn't have to slave away for forty hours a week. With careful planning, everyone's lives would improve and be so much better.
In many ways, the fair was a celebration of hope. Those who attended could actually see the future laid out before their very own eyes. What they saw was a shiny new model of what was to come. General Motors displayed an attraction called the Futurama. One could sit in a motorized chair and experience the feeling of moving across the entire United States. When sitting in that special chair, people were treated to a look into a future that promised spacious, uncongested freeways and new cars that surpassed any young man's dreams.
Fairgoers enjoyed an exhibit called the Perisphere-Democracity. The attraction depicted a thriving economy and suburban homes. There was one realistic attraction after another that held out the same optimistic theme. In 1939, Americans were looking forward to easier times. It was the perfect message for those who needed to hear some good news after a decade of hardship that came with the Great Depression.
However, all of the optimistic feelings fell to the wayside as bad times befell our nation once again. By the fall of that same year, World War II broke out and would soon ensnare America. Sadly, all of the hopes for a bright, happier tomorrow vanished. History is poised to repeat itself as America faces a continuous war against global terrorism.
Illusory dreams
The New York World's Fair is long gone. World War II has been over for more than six decades. Were the futuristic dreamers of the Thirties correct when they pictured an easier and more enjoyable life?
In the 1980's, hopes were high. Everyone believed that the latest ingenuities were going to help give us the good life. Personal computers, hand-held cell phones, and other electronic inventions became a reality. With enthusiasm, we were convinced that a new technological utopia was just around the corner. The average Joe was going to work less and earn more money. Once again, there was disappointment and another letdown. For some reason, it never happened. Americans are not working less; in fact, many need to work longer just to make ends meet.
An interesting study by the National Sleep Foundation found that the average work week is now 46 hours, and that 38% of folks are working more than 50 hours a week. It's a no brainer to figure out that we're all feeling the stress. When we consider the time we spend on commuting, on our jobs, on family matters, and everything else, the challenges of life can seem insurmountable. At the end of the day, we realize our lives are passing us by and there is so much more we hoped to accomplish. It's no wonder that by evening, we are ready to collapse in bed, left with a bad feeling from the way the world treated us.
Time and reality
It's obvious that there isn't enough time in life to get things done, unless you're a "Type A" personality who keeps running like the Eveready battery bunny. Our world is full of things that fascinate us, but we never seem to have time to explore the good old USA, much less take trips to foreign and exotic places.
It would be fantastic to be an expert at a lot of things. I enjoy music, writing, theology, nature, literature, and astronomy. Unfortunately, I'd need more than one lifetime to study all those things while simultaneously trying to earn a living and meet my social commitments.
According to God's Word, in the beginning, time was a non-issue. The first two people didn't have to think about such things as retirement or funeral arrangements. If Adam and Eve didn't get something done, they could always get to it a thousand years later.
Unfortunately, all changed when they disobeyed God's loving authority. As a result, the reality of death looms larger than life, at some point, for each of us — and every individual must face the fact that time is ticking away. There are choices to be made. Many of us will face important life and death decisions.
The realities of our nation's future
God has always had a people who were willing to make a difference. Today, we live in a world where everything that is good and righteous is constantly being undermined and challenged, especially matters of faith and morality.
In the coming four years, we will see many unpleasant changes that will catch many off guard. It will be the Christian community's responsibility to become vocal and politically active, while we pray for guidance and ask God to give us wisdom. For eight years, we had a man in the White House who put into place safeguards that have kept our country safe. However, it's realistic to believe that some facets of our Homeland Security will be dismantled by the incoming administration.
President-elect Barack Obama will close Gitmo. His plans speak volumes about his naiveté. What other security measures established by the Bush administration will be tampered with is anyone's guess. Obama and the Democrat Party have a different world view that fits in with their political agenda.
"Election Day has come and gone. While homeland security did not play a major role in the 2008 presidential election, Americans must not forget the importance of keeping the nation safe." — Jena Baker McNeill, Policy Analyst, Homeland Security, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies.
Bush reflects on past and future challenges
The following excerpts from FOXNews.com — "Reflective Bush Warns Obama of Attacks Against Nation, Criticism Facing President" — underscore the urgent realities facing both America and President-elect Obama:
"WASHINGTON — The weight of the presidency will hit Barack Obama as soon as he enters the Oval Office, President Bush said Monday, warning the president-elect about attacks against America as well as attacks against him personally.
"Speaking at his last press conference before leaving office, a reflective Bush urged Obama not to fall prey to critics and gave some rare insights into the job of the presidency and expectations for the next president.
"He said that the criticism Obama will face is diminished in light of the 'profound' nature of the job.
"'He's going to have to do what he thinks is right. And if you don't, I don't see how you can live with yourself. I don't see how I can get back home in Texas and look in the mirror and be proud of what I see if I allowed the loud voices, the loud critics, to — to prevent me from doing what I thought was necessary to protect this country,' he said.
"'On the other hand, the job is so exciting and the position so profound that the disappointments will be clearly a minority irritant,' the president added.
"As for threats to the nation, Bush said Obama faces serious enemies who 'would like to inflict damage' on Americans and is confronted by an economy that began experiencing problems even before Bush's presidency.
"'The most urgent threat that he'll have to deal with and other presidents after him will have to deal with is an attack on our homeland. You know, I wish I could report that's not the case [but] that'll be the major threat,' he said.
"'North Korea's still a problem. There is a debate in the intel community about how big a problem they are,' Bush said, noting that he is also not certain democracy will endure in Iraq.
"But Bush said he doesn't plan on sticking around and looking over Obama's shoulder to comment on how he's doing.
"'When I get out of here, I am getting off the stage. I believe that there ought to be one person in the klieg lights at a time, and I've had my time in the klieg lights,' he said. 'I wish him all the best.'" Full Article
Using our time on earth wisely
We can't be so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good. There comes a time where every Christian will need to do some soul searching. The Almighty God authoritatively directed us with these words: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).
Isn't it about time we finish up the work of The Great Commission and ready ourselves to finally go home? For that is the reason every man and woman of God is instructed to preach the everlasting gospel.
The return of Christ is the full experience and the reality of our salvation. God's word explains it so clearly: "Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing His will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And He guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when He returns" (1 Corinthians 1:7-8).
Knowing the signs of the times that we live in today is more important than ever before. Use your time wisely and daily study your Bible. Have the burden within your heart and become fishers of men. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).
Activism: What can I do to advance the cause of America's Revival? Please go to America's Revival — citizen action center of RenewAmerica.com — and find out.
© Marie Jon
Marie Jon, RA analyst
People can become frustrated because they don't have enough time to do everything they need to do. Too often they find that life doesn't provide them enough time to do more than one or two things as well as they would like. It's very important that we learn to manage our time. None of us want to have nagging regrets that we didn't accomplish everything we hoped to do before our days run out.In 1939, the New York World's Fair was held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The fair's attractions and new innovations promised Americans a happier and brighter tomorrow. Promising new technologies held out a brand-new era where people wouldn't have to slave away for forty hours a week. With careful planning, everyone's lives would improve and be so much better.
In many ways, the fair was a celebration of hope. Those who attended could actually see the future laid out before their very own eyes. What they saw was a shiny new model of what was to come. General Motors displayed an attraction called the Futurama. One could sit in a motorized chair and experience the feeling of moving across the entire United States. When sitting in that special chair, people were treated to a look into a future that promised spacious, uncongested freeways and new cars that surpassed any young man's dreams.
Fairgoers enjoyed an exhibit called the Perisphere-Democracity. The attraction depicted a thriving economy and suburban homes. There was one realistic attraction after another that held out the same optimistic theme. In 1939, Americans were looking forward to easier times. It was the perfect message for those who needed to hear some good news after a decade of hardship that came with the Great Depression.
However, all of the optimistic feelings fell to the wayside as bad times befell our nation once again. By the fall of that same year, World War II broke out and would soon ensnare America. Sadly, all of the hopes for a bright, happier tomorrow vanished. History is poised to repeat itself as America faces a continuous war against global terrorism.
Illusory dreams
The New York World's Fair is long gone. World War II has been over for more than six decades. Were the futuristic dreamers of the Thirties correct when they pictured an easier and more enjoyable life?
In the 1980's, hopes were high. Everyone believed that the latest ingenuities were going to help give us the good life. Personal computers, hand-held cell phones, and other electronic inventions became a reality. With enthusiasm, we were convinced that a new technological utopia was just around the corner. The average Joe was going to work less and earn more money. Once again, there was disappointment and another letdown. For some reason, it never happened. Americans are not working less; in fact, many need to work longer just to make ends meet.
An interesting study by the National Sleep Foundation found that the average work week is now 46 hours, and that 38% of folks are working more than 50 hours a week. It's a no brainer to figure out that we're all feeling the stress. When we consider the time we spend on commuting, on our jobs, on family matters, and everything else, the challenges of life can seem insurmountable. At the end of the day, we realize our lives are passing us by and there is so much more we hoped to accomplish. It's no wonder that by evening, we are ready to collapse in bed, left with a bad feeling from the way the world treated us.Time and reality
It's obvious that there isn't enough time in life to get things done, unless you're a "Type A" personality who keeps running like the Eveready battery bunny. Our world is full of things that fascinate us, but we never seem to have time to explore the good old USA, much less take trips to foreign and exotic places.
It would be fantastic to be an expert at a lot of things. I enjoy music, writing, theology, nature, literature, and astronomy. Unfortunately, I'd need more than one lifetime to study all those things while simultaneously trying to earn a living and meet my social commitments.
According to God's Word, in the beginning, time was a non-issue. The first two people didn't have to think about such things as retirement or funeral arrangements. If Adam and Eve didn't get something done, they could always get to it a thousand years later.
Unfortunately, all changed when they disobeyed God's loving authority. As a result, the reality of death looms larger than life, at some point, for each of us — and every individual must face the fact that time is ticking away. There are choices to be made. Many of us will face important life and death decisions.
The realities of our nation's future
God has always had a people who were willing to make a difference. Today, we live in a world where everything that is good and righteous is constantly being undermined and challenged, especially matters of faith and morality.
In the coming four years, we will see many unpleasant changes that will catch many off guard. It will be the Christian community's responsibility to become vocal and politically active, while we pray for guidance and ask God to give us wisdom. For eight years, we had a man in the White House who put into place safeguards that have kept our country safe. However, it's realistic to believe that some facets of our Homeland Security will be dismantled by the incoming administration.
President-elect Barack Obama will close Gitmo. His plans speak volumes about his naiveté. What other security measures established by the Bush administration will be tampered with is anyone's guess. Obama and the Democrat Party have a different world view that fits in with their political agenda.
"Election Day has come and gone. While homeland security did not play a major role in the 2008 presidential election, Americans must not forget the importance of keeping the nation safe." Bush reflects on past and future challenges
The following excerpts from FOXNews.com — "Reflective Bush Warns Obama of Attacks Against Nation, Criticism Facing President" — underscore the urgent realities facing both America and President-elect Obama:
"WASHINGTON — The weight of the presidency will hit Barack Obama as soon as he enters the Oval Office, President Bush said Monday, warning the president-elect about attacks against America as well as attacks against him personally.
"Speaking at his last press conference before leaving office, a reflective Bush urged Obama not to fall prey to critics and gave some rare insights into the job of the presidency and expectations for the next president.
"He said that the criticism Obama will face is diminished in light of the 'profound' nature of the job.
"'He's going to have to do what he thinks is right. And if you don't, I don't see how you can live with yourself. I don't see how I can get back home in Texas and look in the mirror and be proud of what I see if I allowed the loud voices, the loud critics, to — to prevent me from doing what I thought was necessary to protect this country,' he said.
"'On the other hand, the job is so exciting and the position so profound that the disappointments will be clearly a minority irritant,' the president added.
"As for threats to the nation, Bush said Obama faces serious enemies who 'would like to inflict damage' on Americans and is confronted by an economy that began experiencing problems even before Bush's presidency.
"'The most urgent threat that he'll have to deal with and other presidents after him will have to deal with is an attack on our homeland. You know, I wish I could report that's not the case [but] that'll be the major threat,' he said.
"'North Korea's still a problem. There is a debate in the intel community about how big a problem they are,' Bush said, noting that he is also not certain democracy will endure in Iraq.
"But Bush said he doesn't plan on sticking around and looking over Obama's shoulder to comment on how he's doing.
"'When I get out of here, I am getting off the stage. I believe that there ought to be one person in the klieg lights at a time, and I've had my time in the klieg lights,' he said. 'I wish him all the best.'" Full Article
Using our time on earth wiselyWe can't be so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good. There comes a time where every Christian will need to do some soul searching. The Almighty God authoritatively directed us with these words: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).
Isn't it about time we finish up the work of The Great Commission and ready ourselves to finally go home? For that is the reason every man and woman of God is instructed to preach the everlasting gospel.
The return of Christ is the full experience and the reality of our salvation. God's word explains it so clearly: "Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing His will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And He guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when He returns" (1 Corinthians 1:7-8).
Knowing the signs of the times that we live in today is more important than ever before. Use your time wisely and daily study your Bible. Have the burden within your heart and become fishers of men. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).
Activism: What can I do to advance the cause of America's Revival? Please go to America's Revival — citizen action center of RenewAmerica.com — and find out.
© Marie Jon
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