195:3.9 Even a good religion could not save a great empire from the sure results of lack ofindividual participation in the affairs ofgovernment, from overmuch paternalism, overtaxation and gross collection abuses, unbalanced trade with the Levant which drained away the gold, amusement madness, Roman standardization, the degradation ofwoman, slavery and race decadence, physical plagues, and a state church which became institutionalized nearly to the point of spiritual barrenness.

State of Affairs
A partly sunny winter day.
It’s Sunday, so there’ll be some play.
Worship takes the center stage.
We are at peace, but wars still rage.

The biggest bully seems to win,
Until law and order do begin.
We must invoke new laws with order
Unto this world and all its warriors.

Justice on a global scale
Must be expected through travail.
We must support those who’ve been wronged.
Invasion’s never right, it’s wrong!

We must have peace to interact.
Is trust between us still intact?
World conquest cannot be!
Except with love, which makes us free!

Anticipate the best outcome.
And pray to One, where love comes from.
God will show us what’s to be.
And love will take us there for free.

Demonstrate what faith you have.
Let good in you outweigh the bad.
Decisions in this world you make
Potentially can make us great!

Thank You Father, You have my trust.
This life on earth is most robust.
Yes, we do not yet have peace.
But love on earth, is being increased!