The state of Oregon is one of the most beautiful places in the entire U.S. I recently visited and it is in my top five for prettiest states. Mount Hood, Crater Lake and the scenic drive along I-5 are truly breathtaking. Oregon has some of the best coast lines in the country as well. Along with all of this beauty you would think would come passionate worship of the One who created it all. Not so.
Oregon is the least "churched" state in the union. Church attendance falls way below the national average. Their divorce rate is among the highest. Drug and alcohol abuse are near the top as well. That all sounds bad, and it is, but the news gets much worse. Oregon has more "adult" bookstores than any other state. As I drove south on I-5 it reminded me of the western corridor of Missouri along I-70. Needless to say, these stores do untold harm to marriages, families and the social fabric of the entire culture. How truly tragic it is for there to be such widespread sin and unholy living.
While in Oregon I thought a lot about Paul's words in Romans one:
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.
Oregon is a beautiful place where God's power, glory and might are clearly on display. However, for the most part, worship of Him has been exchanged for a lie. How heartbreaking. I pray for revival for the state of Oregon and applaud all those who are laboring there for the Kindgdom. Their work is difficult, the task is monumental and the oppostion they face is stifling. Please remember them as you pray.
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