What a drive..

I haven't driven long haul in a number of years, though, I have run the upper midwest. Similar experiences, but home more often. I've wondered if I'd ever want to go long haulin' again, as this Nation IS beautiful, and there are many interesting people you meet. Then, I drive to Louisiana in my car to see family while on vacation, and my question is answered. A resounding HELL NO! Just that little 2200 mile jaunt is enough to convince me.

I've been a professional driver since 1989. I've been blessed to be quite good at it. I do the same thing I do at any job I've held. I give my best at all times. I pay attention to detail, and try to be as safe as I can as there is little room for error when driving big truck, and a 'little error' can cost a number of people to lose their lives. When I first got into the industry, many drivers thought that way. We took pride in that we didn't drive like the average 'Four Wheeler'. In other words, like a completely clueless moron, ignorant of anything resembling common sense or courtesy  behind the wheel. Well, truckers, in general, can't say that any more. If anything, they are getting as bad. This is not a good thing, as the average four wheeler has gotten worse.

In my 17 hours down, and 17 hours back, I nearly got hit about 4-6 times an hour. Why? Simple. Too many seem to think they're race car drivers. Speed limits matter not. Tailgating matters not. Getting so close to the car ahead of you that you almost scrape the paint off when pulling out to pass matters not.Texting while driving matters not. There are enough dangers on the highways from animals, bad pavement, and weather. Add to that mix a growing population of beyond the pale, entitled dumbasses to the mix, and it can be pretty stressful driving.

Many of the Truck drivers I witnessed were not much better. In Missouri, I had one so close, I could only see the horizontal lines of his grille in my rear view mirror. I've bitched about my fellow drivers before, and rightly so. I've come to hold a large number in contempt. I no longer automatically assume a four wheeler did something dumb in front of the semi to cause the wreck. Now, it's just as likely the trucker was at fault. It's only going to get worse as our society continues it's decline. Yes, they are related. The decline of a society slowly infects every aspect of it, rotting from within. We see this in every area of our lives. From the declining respect for life, to politics, to the declining respect for Law. Until we repent, turn away, it will only get worse.

A New Direction

Changing course is never easy, especially as you grow older. The old saw is that "With age comes Wisdom." I would add "sometimes belatedly". I've followed Christ, albeit imperfectly, for 18 years officially, and about 20 over all. My return to Faith, as it were, began in a Memphis, Indiana truck stop. A guy from a local Baptist Church was handing out copies of the New Testament. I snarkily asked why only the New? Do you not think there is any application of the Old Testament? I was being a smart ass, true. He looked at me a moment, smiled, then wrote some Scripture passages in the front, and handed me HIS Bible. Needless to say, it made an impression. As an aside, why do we say "Needless to say", and then say it? Weird.

So, my return to Faith got a start right there. I started reading the Bible again. I started praying even more than I had when growing up Catholic.For the first few years after, I read often. Then, less so, as I was reading other authors and their takes. Some I disagreed with, others became staples, such as John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul and J. Vernon Mcgee. I also came across the likes of Hank Hanegraaf at the Christian Research Institute and Ray Comfort. The former says "Test all things in light of Scripture and hold on to that which is true." Test ALL. There are false teachers out there. Wolves in sheeps clothing. They snare the unwary. The unwary are the Biblically illiterate. If you study your Bible, and listen and compare what is said, you will not fall for the lies. Too many do because they don't study. Ray Comfort points out, in open air preaching, the WHY of needing a savior. He uses the 10 commandments, how we all violate them, and how that looks to a Holy and Righteous God. Too many churches today have been Osteenified. They don't want to make people uncomfortable. If the Gospel DOESN'T make you uncomfortable in your sin, you're doing it WRONG!!

Jesus PROMISED trials, not riches and ease! Today's 'churches' are a pale shadow of what once was. They are not biblical. I fell for the "ask Jesus into your heart" 'sinners prayer' stuff. It's not Biblical. Jesus called for repentance, that the wages of sin was DEATH. You were to turn away from sin and follow HIM. Paul preached to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Repent, and believe. We are saved by grace, through faith, which is a gift from God, and not by works, so that none may boast. Saved by grace, through Faith in Jesus.

So, what course change? I'm too hung and focused on politics. No more. It doesn't matter. I need to dive BACK into Scripture. I have much to read, and more to learn. No matter how many times you read, you learn something new. So, there it is.