Do you smell smoke? Where's my fiddle?

I watched history being made tonight as our lawmakers voted on behalf of tyranny, and not liberty. The evil designs of a few poisoned and clawed and bought their way into the minds of others, and the will of the people of our nation was ignored. I shudder to think of the price the innocent will pay for this crime.

Before I get too dramatic (too late, right?), I will say this: there is nothing new under the sun. This is not the first time evil has torn to shreds the fluffy blankie of blissful ignorance under which many of the fearful--ahem, faithful--few are hiding. They're whispering, "Is it over yet?" Um, it's just begun. And yes, I can see you under there.

Israel begged to be ruled by a king rather than God. God, who knew their frame, understanding their tendency to worship tangible things (or people), knew the danger of this prideful prospect. Yet He gave in because they whined long enough. "Don't say I didn't warn you." was His response.

Sorry, but that rag you're hiding under--that sand you buried your head in--will not keep the floodwaters out. You will get wet.

What can we learn about the tumultuous history of Israel?
Two things are true:

Anything governed by people who have separated themselves from God will be corrupt.

God will always have a bloodline, a people, a church, for His own namesake, not because we're so great. Let's thank God for this before we start patting ourselves on the back.

One thing entertainment has done to us is to have removed any sense of outrage at something truly abominable. Our sensitivities have become so twisted that for most, a vote like tonight's, which will adversely affect the life of each man, woman, and child in our country (if they even have the privilege of being born), hardly hits the radar.

Yet basketball brings such a rise out of people, they can't stop tweeting about it. Even at a time like this.

This brings new meaning to the term 'March Madness.'

I have nothing against basketball. Unless you choose to watch it 'while Rome burns.'

But this isn't about sports. It's the profound consequences we have brought upon our children because we have forgotten God.

The children of Israel found themselves enslaved every time they chose to worship pagan gods. A good king, then an evil king. Then a good king, and an evil king. Suffering, repentance, brief relief, neglect of the things of God, and more suffering. It's a predictable pattern. You'd think we'd learned from it by now.

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deut.30:19)

Well, we've chosen. God help us.

Don't mention it

Exodus 23:13: "And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Eph. 5:11)

Talking heads, everywhere. About everything. Nothing is taboo, even in the pulpit (gasp).

Oh, that unruly member, the tongue!

Nay, though nature has hedged it in with a double barrier of the lips and teeth, it bursts from its barriers to assail and ruin men [ESTIUS].

You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. (Matthew 12:34)

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. (James 1:26)

Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say...