Reviews and Views

Neglect

Now and in the days ahead, people will need our help somehow. They may need a listening ear, a hug of sympathy, a word of encouragement, a grocery bag of food, or an explanation of understanding. We should not ignore those around us nor neglect our duty to serve and help as we can.

Alexander MacLaren, a Baptist preacher and expositor (1826-1910), wrote about many things and subjects. Still, the Crime of Negligence got me thinking about those in my orbit of life. I share a portion of his writing below.

The Crime of Negligence
We are to use any power we possess to help others. Not doing so is a sin. Whether we intentionally or forgetfully neglect to do anything we can is a crime. To withhold help we can render or provide is to participate in the authorship of all the misery we have failed to relieve. He who neglects to save a life; kills. Our cities and communities are led by incompetent, inept, and bungling men or women in high positions. The indolent, lazy, and slothful ones in lower places of authority are responsible for the suffering of many. It is their blundering blindness that allows any suffering to continue. Misery is caused by their selfishness. Violence slays its thousands, but tens of thousands are destroyed by a failure to act or protest due to one’s moral weakness or laziness. Where the conditions are fatal to life, the guilt of blood lies on these people.

The Excuse of Negligence
We are obliged to know things. Even the most ignorant of us know. We cannot help knowing which condemns our neglect. Basically, there are no excuses for being negligent. To say, “We didn’t know,” is really a lie of a coward. Pretending ignorance is partly a false excuse. To neglect those in trouble and need around us is to be callous of heart to the woe and loss that other men suffer.

The Condemnation of Negligence
God watches the hearts of men and women with great diligence. This contrasts with our lazy and superficial looks. If God ‘takes pains’ to see after His children, we are bound to look with great care on each of our brethren. God seeks to know each of His children. Are we not bound or obligated to know one another? Are we too busy with our petty personal concerns to take an interest in helping the sorrows and fighting against the sins of the world? The strongest motive for seeking to save others is that God has saved us.

The Judgment of Negligence
Let us not forget that our works follow us in this life and the future. There is a judgment both presently and in the future for all men. Not only what they do but what they inconsistently fail to do. Deliver those that are appointed or sentenced to be slain unjustly. Don’t hesitate to help them with your faithful witness.

November 13, 2022 Posted by Bill Wyler | advice, Culture, Religion | 2022, neglect, negligence, Responsibility | Leave a comment

Advice from an Old Man to a Younger One

What wisdom I have comes from the Word of God as I study the Bible. This advice today comes from the book of Proverbs 24:27 as the father instructs his son on how to proceed as he is about to leave home.

First, give attention to the things most necessary for your survival in making a living in this world. Don’t shy away from hard work, but be diligent in preparing yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. You may choose a path toward more education or to develop a trade skill, but whatever path you choose, it should provide enough income to support youself and save a little. After that, you may consider marriage and building a family. But always be prudent in counting the costs before proceeding.

“The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-25

November 10, 2022 Posted by Bill Wyler | advice, Bible, Culture, Life | 2022, Behavior, Bible, Truth | Leave a comment

Comments by Robert Wilkin, Ph.D.

Robert N. Wilkin, Ph.D., editor of Grace in Focus magazine (Nov/Dec 2022), shared that he was listening to a book on tape (see below) about a future in which planet earth was destroyed. Humanity moved to a planet called Harmony. A computer named Oversoul controlled the thinking of all the subjects of Harmony so that they would not make weapons or even things like cars and airplanes. The computer did so using thousands of satellites. But 40 million years later, Oversoul was losing its grip on people’s minds.

This was probably the book that Dr. Wilkin was listening to that drove his comments.

Perhaps part of the book’s point is that mass media has a grip on most people’s minds. Instead of people being taught to think for themselves, they are taught groupthink. What is groupthink? It is a pattern of thought characterized by self-deception, forced manufacture of consent, and conformity to group values and group ethics (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

This type of current humanistic mindset is widespread today. Cultural relativism reigns. It may remind you of a critical line from the book of Judges: everyone did what was right in his own eyes. The idea that God has a wonderful plan for His creatures and we do best to follow His teachings is now considered a right-wing derogatory or offensive statement.

November 9, 2022 Posted by Bill Wyler | Culture, Groupthink | 2022, Something of Interest, Truth | Leave a comment

Adversity and Hard Times

Proverbs 24,Verse 10:
“If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited.” NASB
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” NIV
“If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.” GNT

The day of adversity is not a time we look forward to nor desire. But as times of prosperity and trouble come, know that all are in God’s hands and determined by Him. When they are at our doorstep and how long they last are controlled by our Heavenly Father. It is in times like these God may seem to hide His face from us, and our prayers do not seem to be heard. Salvation and deliverance do not come as soon as we expect. During this time, our strength is small, and faith is little.

The question is whether we will fail and succumb to anxiety or fear instead of rising to meet the emergency. If we fail, then we are a weakling or a coward. The strength we seem to possess and of which we boasted, perhaps, is worth nothing. It is a sign that we have little Christian courage, which is always best known in adversity.

But at times like this, when the pressure seems so great, know that Jesus Christ is praying for us. Depend on Him to strengthen your heart. For this is the time that God enables us to grow. It is in the hour of trial that we display our spiritual strength.
~~~ sources: J.Vernon McGee, Benson, Gill, Pulpit

October 5, 2022 Posted by Bill Wyler | Culture, Economy, Life | 2022, Behavior, GOD, Something of Interest | Leave a comment

This Saturday Morning…

While in Griffin, we stopped by Gritz Family Restaurant for a late breakfast. They are located at 105 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA. Personally, I like a restaurant that serves breakfast all day. They had ample choices to select from to satisfy the hunger growing all morning. My selection today was the 3-egg omelet with cheese and ham, hash browns, and a biscuit. I was not disappointed. Before leaving to go home, I had to get an order to go of their hot peach cobbler.The cobbler with some ice cream should be an excellent way to celebrate the victory of Alabama over Arkansas this afternoon.