Make His Paths Straight

This . . .
Our Christmas tree has been in the corner for a couple of days without lights or decorations. I had decided I liked it like that - bare. Really down to earth and even marvelously unique in a simple way. Mom didn't fall for it even a little bit, so now the tree has lights and tomorrow an abundance of decorations, I'm sure.
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That . . .
I have been thinking about how absolutely shocked we used to be when when a guy would just up and shoot some people. It seems now that our response is more like, "Oh, somebody shot somebody again." We still hate it, but we're just not very surprised or upset.
And it's not just people shooting each other, sins of all kind just don't seem to grip us like they used to.
I don't need to name them, you can make your own list.
This is particularly dangerous if it is us doing the sinning and we don't feel very bad about it. This is not good.
Slap us God. Wake us up.
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This is That . . .
Matthew 3
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“ The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘ Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make His paths straight.’”
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Joel 2
12 “ Now, therefore,” says the LORD,
“ Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
13 So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.