Title: It seemed like a good idea at the time
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Blog Entry: It seemed like a good idea at the time By Kathy Yoder, a devotional writer for the Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa <h4>A couple of years ago I was wearing sandals the morning we left on vacation. So I quickly painted my toenails with a sample of orange nail polish I'd bought the day before. After we'd driven for awhile we decided we needed coffee. I was waiting in line when I happened to look down at the floor. Then it hit me. The brightest, most blazing shade of neon orange I have ever seen in my life. In fact, I wonder how and why anyone could create a color so obnoxious? It actually hurt my eyes to look at my toes. Then Dave and Ethan noticed it, too. Their expressions were identical. It makes me think of those old horror movies when someone innocently enters a room as evil deeds are revealed. The innocent person recoils, putting their arm across their eyes while saying, "Oh, the horror! The horror!" We went in search of nail polish remover. We could not continue on our trip until I removed the flaming neon orange. Why did I paint my toenails in the near dark? Why didn't I look closer at the actual color? All I can say is that it seemed like a good idea at the time. I wonder if that's what Eve said? God created the world and everything in it. He created man. From man's rib he created woman. They were intended to live their lives in close friendship and love. To walk with the LORD and to live peacefully with the animals. Everything was fine until Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the fruit from the one tree God said they should not even touch. Their lives changed dramatically after that. They had to leave the garden. Sin was introduced into our world. Did Eve say to Adam, "Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time?" We get into trouble when we act from our feelings. When we let others influence us. Even though it was the serpent who tempted Eve, she chose to disobey God. Even though it was Eve who offered Adam the forbidden fruit, he chose to take a bite. We have the freedom to choose. But when we do not choose God's way, ironically, we lose freedom. The people of Israel cried out to God to deliver them from their slavery in Egypt. God sent Moses. All the plagues that God set upon Egypt did not touch the Israelites. They were finally released from Egypt, but Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them. God parted the Red Sea for His beloved people. He provided them with sweet water and sent them food from Heaven. As God was giving Moses the Ten Commandments, the Israelites made an idol of gold to worship. God faithfully brought them through so much and then they make an idol. It seemed like a good idea at the time. We live in freedom. America was built on the 10 commandments. We were a country that openly worshipped God. So why is it that we allow God to be taken from the classrooms? Why do we allow our children to watch TV programs and movies that are so opposite of what God has ordained? Why do we watch? Why do we push God from every corner of our lives? We give our children every possible material item and opportunity we can, but when it comes to church and children's ministry, we participate only if nothing better comes up. We have the choice to say, "Oh, it seemed like a good idea at the time. After all, everyone else is doing it."Or, we can get down on our knees and pray that God will forgive us and will deliver us from a country that is more like the Egypt of the Bible every day. Just because we don't recognize we're in bondage doesn't mean we aren't. We as individuals, as families, as churches, as a country need revival. Now."If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14 ).</h4>
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