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New Thoughts About Old Paths

Thus says the Lord, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16)

The Old Paths

I liked the old paths when
Moms were at home,
Dads were at work,
Brothers went to college or the army,
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!

Crime did not pay;
Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.

Moms could cook;
Dads would work;
Children would behave.

Husbands were loving;
Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.

Hymns sounded godly;
Sermons sounded redemptive;
Rejoicing sounded normal;
And weeping sounded sincere.

Profanity was wicked;
Drugs were for illness;
And divorce was rare.

The flag was honored;
America was beautiful;
And God was welcome.

We read the Bible in public;
Prayed in school;
And witnessed from house to house.

Preachers preached because they were called,
And they had a message of eternity in their words.

Christians rejoiced because they had the victory!
Preachers preached from the Bible;
Singers sang from the heart;
And sinners turned to the Lord to be saved!

The new birth meant a new life;
Salvation meant a changed life;
Following Jesus led to eternal life.

Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God;
Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord;
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus;
And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you.

Laws were based on the Bible;
Homes read the Bible;
And churches taught the Bible.

God was worshiped;
Christ was exalted;
And the Holy Spirit was respected.

The prophet Jeremiah was right on target when he said, “Ask for the old paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls."

It seems like we are facing a time of testing right now. A time of restructuring our priorities. I know of one church here in the town where I live that is starting a community garden, working together to supplement their own tables and have something to give to the hungry. I’m noticing a simplification of lifestyles. People are cutting away the frivolous and the fanciful and dealing with the basics. We see it as a response to the economic problems that many are facing. But could it be that God is allowing this to happen to bring His church back to the days when it was a true community of caring and sharing? Church used to be the center of the Christian community but, truthfully, in the last several decades, we’ve let it become just a brief part of a busy week.

The churches I visit that have life and vibrancy are those that have an active schedule. They’re open often for service and prayer and the business of running a church. They have the most to share and they share often.

The “old paths” can be restored in these tough times through a thoughtful and determined process of churches once again becoming communities of Christians, instead of just buildings where Christians meet.

Feedback

Your right, the Lord is not concerned about who has the largest church edifice and the most members. I believe He is more concerned about a heart that seeks after Him to allow His ways to be manifested in all the earth; and to be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth! I thank God for you and your God-given ministry.

Dr. Linda Thomas
Mitchellville, Maryland

Brother Carl, I grew up listening to you preach on the Forward in Faith radio broadcast. I agree with your words today. The Word is true.

Pastor Richard Kennedy
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

I am so touched by this message! May God bring back genuine, revival – genuine Christianity – and genuine church where the Lord is worshiped in Spirit and in truth – where brokenness is normal as a result of His presence and touch is experienced. Keep up the good ministry!

Pastor Charles Karangwa
Kampala, Uganda, Africa

Carl, this is an awesome, inspiring, uplifting and stirring message that renews a hunger in my heart for the reality of an experience in our churches as you just described. Be blest!

Dr. Robert White
Tyler, Texas

Thank you for the notes of inspiration that we are able to receive from you here in Africa. Look forward to each one of your blogs. When you are alone on the mission field it is so necessary to hear from the family of God. We were happy to have you and your team minister for us here in person several years ago here.

Mrs Carol du Plooy
Limpopo, Province, S. Africa

Dr. Carl, thanks for the inspiration in your blog. Our South African Christians here also need to seek and rediscover “The Old Paths.” We’ll be praying for this.

Pastor Tony Subramanian
Pretoria, South Africa

Bro, Carl, really enjoyed your blog on “New Thoughts about Old Paths.” I also enjoyed your blog on “Right Christmas.”

Pastor David Beatty
Cleveland, Tennessee

How I long for those days when the church was a part of our lives – the families in the church were a part of our home – and our pastors were more than the person we saw on Sunday morning – they were our friends. We ate together and played together – prayed together - sang together and rejoiced together. And when the time came to mourn, we wept together. The church of my youth helped my family move – find a home – showed us the community, and more than anything, laughed with us in warm Christian fellowship. Ahhh, there were a lot of things that were really good about the good old days! May those good things be discovered by us as we move forward with a strong vision.

Dee Yoder
Manisfield, Ohio

Carl, I really like your blogs. Keep up the good work!

Rev. Earl L. Cushman
Brandon, Florida

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