Simplicity of Life

Rather than the Complexity of It

By Bonnie Jones

May 2021

In this dream an older man approached me and showed me the front page of a newspaper. All of its articles were about change and their impact on society. A large picture covered the bottom quarter of the page’s left side. It was a picture of a crowd of people gathered in the town square to hear a man speak. As I looked at the photo I notice Bob Jones standing in the midst of the crowd. To my surprise he looked like he did in 2013 while the rest of the folks were from the 1960’s. 

The old man instructed me to write an article about change and how it has affected society. And how America went from the simple life to being sophisticated in 60 years; whether the affect was good or bad. He gave me the paper to use as reference points. He reminded me that he wanted the newspaper back because it was priceless to him.

The man looked like old Mr. Potter from the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Potter was the big daddy of Bedford Falls that controlled most of the town’s businesses. Potter planned to dissolve George Bailey’s family owned Building and Loan Company in order to gain greater control of the town’s wealth and its’ residents.

I’ve always thought the 50’s and 60’s were the best times of my life. Life was simple to say the least. So here’s a rather whimsical account of the article “Simplicity of Life Rather than the Complexity of It.” Of course I’m writing from my childhood perspective and at the end I’ll give a commentary on “60 years later.”

Reflections of the Good Old Days

Looking back to the good old days when I was a child, definitely life was considerably more simplistic. Some things that stand out to me are the fact that kids played until the street lights came on. That was the sign that everyone had to be home. That was a given fact and no one asked any questions. Our town had a curfew at 10 o’clock for weekdays and 11 for weekends. 

Police Officers walked the beat and kept law and order making sure no one loitered. There were few arrests – usually a warning was sufficient. Crime was minimal. I lived across the street from the Police/Fire Department so I had a bird’s eye view of most activities. Police walked the beat and people honored them. Children were taught to honor and respect their elders as well as the men in blue wearing a badge. We knew they enforced the law and were to be trusted. If ever there was a problem – find a policeman and he will help you! Police represented the law, kept order and defended the innocent. Whereas today they are limited in their ability to exercise the law they swore to defend. If they do, they are assaulted and prosecuted. Rioting and looting has become the norm and lawbreakers seem to enforce their law. 

Sunday was the day of rest. Sundays were set aside for going to church. Entire families dressed in their best attire and headed off to church in the family car. Then they spent time together at home for a meal, family activities and a brief rest before heading back for an evening service. All businesses were closed on Sunday so you had to plan ahead for meals and gasoline or wait till Monday. It was simply a day to honor the Lord and spend time with the family. It was also a great time to visit grand parents and other family members. In a nutshell God, church and family time were priorities.

Home life was simple. Moms were in the home, cleaning, cooking and taking care of kids by teaching them the finer things in life. While dad was off to work in order to provide income for the family. Evenings were spent sharing events of the day over the dinner table. That was the hot spot. Lots of conversation took place including plans for the week and deciding if siblings went off to college or the military. Everyone had his or her own chores. Remember there was no such thing as microwave or dishwasher, crockpot or electric can opener. And we developed muscles by stirring the cake batter 100 strokes. Who could afford an electric mixer? And girls kept a slim figure by stretching to hang the laundry on the clothesline. Kids walked to where they needed to go. They played simple games like checkers and jacks, hopscotch and jump rope, red-rover and tag. There were always hands on activities and boys were boys and girls were girls. Little girls held hands, hugged and wore frilly dresses while little boys wore blue jeans and toted slingshots and cap guns. Playing cowboy and Indians was a blast while imaginations soared. 

Children were seen and not heard, they listened and learned. They knew and practiced the Ten Commandments especially the 6^th which says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12) Perhaps they feared the consequences of disobedience but they honored and respected their elders and I’m sorry to say that is not true in this current generation. Although free speech is being quenched, I believe it’s a result of the lack of honor and abuse of respect. As a nation we’ve drifted far away from the simplicity of the precious Ten Commandments that stand as a testimony of God’s love for His people and guidelines His children in all generations to follow. 

Using the Telephone was a privilege. Children didn’t use the phone unless they were given permission. And they were taught how to properly answer it – politely and carefully take a message. Slang wasn’t permissible. This was long before answering machines, cell phones or text messages. There was debate on whether or not technology would replace jobs. Switchboard operators were in demand to handle long distant calls and directory assistance. They would even place a call for you if necessary. These were real people with real voices and personalities. And let us not forget the phone booths. It cost a dime to place a call and if you were lucky, someone that used it before you left his or her dime in the return, therefore you could buy a candy bar with your new found treasure. Yep candy bars were considerably larger than they are today and a whole lot cheaper. 

Television was also a privilege and programs were limited. Usually there were three to five channels. Oh yes there were daytime soap operas and cartoons on Saturday. But the Playtex Living Bra and other commercials for feminine necessities were limited to the afternoon soaps so men and children didn’t see the unmentionables. And family sit-coms were censored. Ozzie and Harriet had twin beds. We weren’t inundated with sexual depravities. There was no kissing or cursing on TV however we saw plenty of cigarette commercials. On Friday nights you could stay up later and watch a scary movie on the late show. But sign-off began at the stroke of 1 and the American flag gallantly waved while the National Anthem played. Then for the highlight – test pattern till 6 a.m. Let us not forget those lovely picture tubes, rabbit ears and small screens. And of course the static and rolling waves across the screen that caused you to get seasick while watching Gunsmoke, Mr. Ed, American Bandstand or Leave It To Beaver. And to top it off, there were no remote controls! Who can forget Ed Sullivan and the Honeymooners?

School was the greatest! Each day began with the reading of scripture, a short prayer, and the salute to the American Flag, and then came morning announcements. There was a dress code and we were taught honor and obedience. We learned about our founding fathers, the Constitution and sang Christian songs in class. Integrity was high on the grading scale. We were taught to honor the American Flag – not burn it. Yes this was public school where each classroom housed “The Ten Commandments” and students learned them. Each room had an old upright piano that usually needed tuned. And if you messed up you had the privilege of standing behind it as punishment! There were fire drills and we even had air raid drills in the event Nikita Khrushchev pushed the big red button.

We were excited when a TV was brought in so we could watch John Glenn orbit the earth in 62. We stood in solemn assembly upon the news of JFK’s assassination in 63. That year we welcomed black children into our all white school. Adults called it “integration” while us kids called it “friendship”. This was their new home.

Groceries & more: You could always get more for less as compared to today. A dozen ears of corn for 49 cents, a loaf of bread was 29 cents and a gallon of milk cost 35 cents. But here’s the big one – a pack of cigarettes cost only 28 cents. My mother used to send me to the Rx with a note and 30 cents to purchase her smokes. I was 8 years old! The clerk would give me a pack of cigarettes and inside the cellophane wrap was 2 pennies. Can you imagine? Gasoline cost 31 cents a gallon and it was a full service station; meaning the attendant not only pumped your gas but also washed your windshield and checked your oil. These were real people who were happy to be serving you even in the rain or snow. This was their job! And they knew how to count money. 

Your word was your honor! There wasn’t such a thing as a credit card so, if necessary you could buy on “time” or run a “tab.” Buy now and pay later. Your word was your honor. When payday came, people paid their debt and didn’t create more. They scrimped and saved and avoided the overcrowding we have today. Nowadays people buy everything they set their eyes on which creates high credit card debt and overcrowding. So they rent storage units and even build extensions to their existing home or buy yet a larger home to fill it with more stuff. Which of course increases credit card debt even more. Well the circle of craziness goes round and round and the simplicity of life is gone. I’m not so sure credit cards are the way to go but they sure have created a good way to continuously be indebted to the world system. The simple life theory was this, if you don’t have the money to pay for it – don’t buy it. It’s no wonder older homes had smaller closets – people had fewer clothes. They washed what they had and wore it till they had to buy new. Today we have huge, in fact room size closets and the need to buy more clothes to fill them. Oh and let us not forget the shoes!!! Women beware; grandma only had two pair of shoes, one pair for home and one pair for church. I’m just saying!!

In Comparison: Many things have changed over the past sixty years and far too many to mention. I’ve witnessed the moral decay of this nation and how it’s turned away from godliness. More and more it embraces things the Bible calls abomination and it continues to become more like the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3. Adultery, divorce and pornography are commonplace in many American churches. Much of the moral compass in America has waxed cold. 

Sixty years ago homosexuals stayed in the closet and now they parade in the streets. Children born out of wedlock were generally raised by single mothers or by grandparents. Yet sometimes other family members raised the child or secret adoptions were arranged because abortion was not an option! Sixty years later loose living and abortion has become morally acceptable and therefore we’ve eliminated two generations of our society.  

Technology has changed the way we think, talk, work, play and interact with people. Everything is fast paced and people grow more impatient because it’s just not fast enough. Everyone is on the go and everything is on-line! Families rarely dine at home together because it’s a microwave and fast-food world. And when they come together for a meal whether at home or restaurant, everyone is on their cell phone. Knowledge is at our fingertips and that’s great. Yet the bond of love that should bind us together has been lost or perhaps only misplaced.

Time marches on and the world changes with it. Change is necessary but not all of it is good nor is it beneficial. I believe that as a nation we’ve moved away from the basics of doing what is right and few have the reverential fear of the Lord because a man pleasing spirit has engulfed our society. Many people are more afraid of what man thinks about them and make decisions accordingly. Therefore America’s moral compass has been compromised almost to the point of no return. 

The only hope is for Christians to rise up in prayer and begin repenting for America’s turning against the Holy Spirit. The church in general has become more like the world instead of the world becoming more like the church. When we repent the Lord is gracious to forgive and He’ll stretch forth His hand a second time to the remnant. He’ll bring healing and salvation to America’s soil once again. I believe a great awakening is close at hand. And we’re going to witness a great wave of revival take place in America once again as we band together in the presence of God and seek Him with a whole heart.

It’s A Wonderful Life: So why was Bob in the photo? If I’m looking at this correctly, he was born in 1930 so he should have been 30 years old at the time of the photo yet he appeared to be 83. I believe he was there as a witness to what was and what is. He knew the simplicity of the 60’s and the complexity of this present age. And although we live in a complex world we can choose to rest in God by keeping our eyes and thoughts on the Lord and in all we do acknowledge Him.  

Commentary on the Past 60 Years

I believe Mr. Potter represents the enemy because the Satan wants to control everything on earth. In the movie George Bailey had a choice to make because times got tough and he was going to call it quits. Although he reconsidered once he realized the impact one life could make on society. With that in mind, I believe each of us have a decision to make; do we conform to the world? Or do we transform the world by choosing to live a righteous life in Christ Jesus? The world may change but the cross of Jesus never does, it remains the same. Our minds must be transformed to that of Jesus so we live according to His will. Although change occurs, we must crucify our flesh and never compromise the cross of Jesus.

Jezebel manifested in our nation. There was a code of honor and the father wore the pants in the family while the mother wore the dress. Dad’s word was the law and mom stood beside him to back him up. Over the past sixty years women joined the work force. And with the help of the “women’s lib movement” many women became so liberated that they began wearing the pants in the home and men no longer have “a say” in the family. Today many American homes are minus a father figure and the mother dominates the family. Unfortunately that is a part of the moral decay in our society. I believe a Jezebel spirit entered in through the women’s lib movement. But remember this fact; every Jezebel needs an Ahab to be effective.

As women emerged with a voice men began to back down and bow out. A good example of that is what we’re facing in our government today. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not calling women Jezebel’s. No! Absolutely not! What I’m saying is – there’s a Jezebel spirit ruling over this nation and it started a long time ago and it entered in through governmental leadership agreeing with it. One example is removing prayer from school. 

This demonic spirit rested heavily upon one such woman named Madalyn Murray O’Hair. She was an American activist, supporting atheism and separation of church and state. In 1960 she filed a lawsuit against Baltimore’s Public School System that led all the way to the Supreme Court.

Since 1962, the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that school-mandated prayers in public schools are unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has also ruled that so-called “voluntary” school prayers are also unconstitutional, because they force some students to be outsiders to the main group, and because they subject dissenters to intense peer group pressure. (Wikipedia)

In a press conference that year President Kennedy said, “concerning the Supreme Court’s decision to remove prayer from school – that we may not always agree with the decision of the Supreme Court however we should support it’s ruling.” He then encouraged all Americans to pray at home and attend church. 

In September 2006, while ministering in New York, the Lord spoke to me saying, “There’s a Catholic curse on this nation.” Honestly I had no idea what He was talking about. But several years later He revealed to me that it was President Kennedy, who at that time was our only Catholic president, did nothing to prevent this ruling from going forth. And in fact he took a coward’s way out when announcing his thoughts on the matter of the Court’s decision.

Sixty years later, on January 16, 2020, President Trump from the Oval Office said, “The U.S. Supreme Court banned school-sponsored prayer in public schools in a 1962 decision, saying that it violated the First Amendment. But students are allowed to meet and pray on school grounds as long as they do so privately and don’t try to force others to do the same. Trump said the government must “never stand between the people and God” and said public schools too often stop students from praying and sharing their faith. It is totally unacceptable, Trump said. You see it on the football field. You see it so many times where they are stopped from praying and we are doing something to stop that.”

Donald Trump was the first president to stand up and boldly confront the Jezebel spirit. He did what was right in the sight of God and for His people. Of course he received great and deliberate criticism for it but he did not cower. The Jezebel spirit reigns over this nation and is fully operational through many women in governmental positions. But this spirit is not limited to women, no it is evident in men as well yet it seems more women embrace it. In doing so they dominate their male counterpart. I believe that’s one reason we have so much gender confusion in this nation as well as father’s being absent in the home. Like I said earlier, men used to wear the pants but now many women do.

Jezebel gained power: Another way Jezebel entered into our society was through Roe vs. Wade. I’m not going into long discussion regarding this topic. But the fact remains that just eleven years after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of removing prayer in school it then ruled in favor of protecting women’s “rights to privacy” that protects a pregnant woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. Since that time until the present the Court has continued to increase the woman’s right to abortion making it possible to abort a baby up to the time of delivery. And why not? Jezebel has taken up residence in the highest decision-making Court in our land and it continues turning its back on the Constitution. But more importantly it has turned its back on God. God calls the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17) an abomination and the 7^th commandment says, “Thou shall not commit murder.” In Bob Jones’ death experience in 1975 he was told they would perfect abortion and they would invent a pill to do it. It is called RU-486. 

The spirit of Jezebel has infiltrated all walks of our society and I’ve only highlighted two. But if you look at the changes that have taken place over the past sixty years you’ll easily see how mankind has cowered to it and embraced it instead of the cross of Christ. We do it and don’t even realize it but in reality we are compromising and giving our precious God given authority over to the enemy. But let us not faint! All is not in vain! Repent and turn from our wicked ways and God will hear us (2 Chronicles 7:14) and heal our land/nation.

God spoke against Ahab and Jezebel giving them time to repent. (1 Kings 21:22-24) Ahab repented and God lifted judgment against his household till after his death.  Ahab was wicked but his wife was even more wicked, in other words Jezebel wore the pants and he submitted to her authority.

But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up. Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.” (1 Kings 21:25 & 29)

There is hope for America and other nations that have succumbed to this powerful spirit. Jezebel tried to seduce Jehu with her seductive flirtations but he resisted and carried out Elijah’s prophecy. And she was thrown from her palace window to her death. (2 Kings 9:30-37) This spirit; lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life (1 John 2:16) has enticed generations. I believe this spirit that caused them to drift away from the church, the Word of God and the cross of Christ has seduced many Christians. And like Ahab I believe that once we, as a nation, repent and turn from our wicked ways and fully embrace the cross, then God will remove this spirit from our midst.

We can’t go back to the way things were in the 60’s. However there are many of today’s luxuries we could set aside in order to spend time with our first Love and time with our loved ones. Sixty years ago we had more physical demands yet life was more simplistic. Today most everything is automated and at the touch of you fingertip you have access to the world through the Internet. Yet the hype, demand and challenge of its complexity can be overwhelming. Maybe it’s time to slow down and rest in the Lord. Let the Lord set the pace while we remain simplistic in Him. After all the Gospel is not difficult and neither is the Cross. Perhaps we can still embrace the Simplicity of Life Rather than the Complexity of It.