Fingerprints

We followed the path winding through the customs hall, eventually being directed to an empty station where we could enter our passports and declare we had nothing proscribed. Being the US passport holder, I went first, followed by Don who, not being a US citizen, had to position his right hand on the ‘reader’ so his fingerprints could be taken.

It happens every time. Missing a couple of fingertips, he has to repeat the exercise three times, after which he is instructed to use his left hand. Thankfully it is intact and we can then progress through the customs hall and out into the bright California sunshine.

Thanks to Jesus, our real citizenship is in heaven. We are all aliens here on earth, and when we transition from earth to heaven, we won’t have to pass a fingerprint test nor have a passport which is in date and from the ‘right’ country.

We only have to love Jesus, and we’re in, living with him forever. Oh, so grateful.

Aliens

I was interested in the first story I encountered in the glossy woman’s magazine at the hairdressers. It concerned women taking a stand for worthwhile causes, globally. Inspiring.

It was all downhill from there, though, as I sat, open-mouthed, reading an article on how to be a witch and where to go online for various paraphernalia one might need for casting spells. A serious article, claiming that interest in witchcraft is growing. It was written as though this were a mainstream, sensible and even good option for a way of life.

There followed an article celebrating lesbian sex. In detail. It was all about receiving satisfaction, not giving love. Empty. All about self.

Finally, a writer encouraged readers to go ahead and entertain their worst thoughts. She claimed that it’s ok, even good, to have an envious thought when someone else achieves breakthrough or commendation. She concluded that it was fine to laugh inwardly when that person who pushed roughly past you on the underground slipped and fell on the escalator. Having base thoughts and entertaining them, she wrote, is part of the human condition and is ok.

Psalm 78 encourages us to talk about the great things God has done in our lives, to tell our children and grandchildren how wonderful he is so that they will trust and follow him.

If that glossy mag reflects general thinking in the world at large, Christian thought not only is not emulated, but is not even mentioned. We Christians are in the world, but not of it. Never have I been more aware of that.