Deficits

Over the past couple of weeks, I came across a few interesting news items

In one newspaper article a child psychologist wrote of her concerns about children who suffer from anxiety and depression.  Certainly, worthy concerns and she provided good advice.

Last week I came across another article that also impacts young children.  Was there anything that had been invented that these youngsters wished had not been invented researchers asked.  There was and the answers were all very much the same.

Children, especially the younger ones, wished that iPhones and iPads and all of the other electronic devices people spend so much time on had not been invented.  Many parents have grasped what these things have to offer, whatever that is, at the expense of the little ones.  Mommy and Daddy have their eyes glued to a portable device of some kind and don’t have time for their kids.

How sad.  And also, irresponsible.  Do you suppose there is a relationship between anxiety and depression of children and being ignored by parents staring at the alternate and inconsequential world electronics provides?

In another, researchers concluded that loneliness causes heart disease at a rate that is comparable to obesity.  In still another, researchers found that there has been a noticeable increase in visits to doctors.  Because the patients are ill?  No, they are lonely and need human contact.  The problems for which they are seen are made up.

And one other that I find to be the most remarkable.  Atheists have shorter life spans those who are religious.  According to an article in the Washington Times, “Researchers at Ohio State University found that religious people live an average of four years longer than atheists.  The study was published in the journal, Social Psychological and Personality Science.”  Is four years a long time?   If you are twenty years old, that may not seem like all that much.  But if you are getting older, four years is significant.

It would be interesting to know why.  Because, after a certain point, atheists have nothing to look forward to?  Because they look back on their lives with regret over decisions they made or events that have happened to them thinking that is all there is?  That’s it.  Especially if they made poor decisions during their lives or that life’s circumstances were particularly difficult.  So, what’s the use of living longer?  Do the bodies of atheists essentially shut down and commit suicide independent of an atheist’s wishes?  Or, at some point, do they wish the whole life affair would just end.  And so their attitudes help them along in sort of a death wish?  This too, is really sad.

All of these issues are things missing in people’s lives.  Mostly self-induced, they are serious deficits.  Not one of them is healthy that even includes a faith that there is no God.  Even if you are not a Christian or even if you are not moved to be a Christian, the church offers benefits besides the promise and messages they teach and believe in.

Churches are refuges from loneliness and from the destructive life-shortening consequences of an atheist faith.  Fellowship, friendship, and help with life’s problems.   There are great church dinners/suppers all over the area and often, coffee and donuts.  Though I prefer chocolate chip cookies myself.  This short list doesn’t include everything, not even the greatest gift of all.

Churches are places that help one to establish proper priorities.  Like keeping your children as your principle precedent over the trivial world of electronic communications and other secondary and tertiary concerns.

Mind the little ones, reach out to the lonely, and pray for those who believe there is no hope.

If you haven’t been to church for awhile or if you have never been, do come.  We come in different flavors but the essential message is the same.  Pick one.  We will be happy to see you.