You cannot convince someone of the truth ...

                                                                                                                  Without the Holy Spirit, nothing is definable, everything can be denied or re-defined, and only the only remaining thing to do ...is to watch absurdity rise to new levels.  From the book, entitled, 'Edgar Allen, it is described how, as a child, his Mom relates that God can sometimes be understood by seeing where He is, ans where He isn't ...further stating that where He isn't may be more interesting, and often tells us more about Him and His ways, than where He is traditionally thought to be.

The problem arises when we look for truth beyond the Bible, by this I mean, contrary to the Bible.  Kay Arthur wrote that there was a school function where they  decorated two rooms in a way that they imagined Heaven and Hell would be ...and of course, music was added ... and it became a party of sorts, with eventually most of the people ending up in the Hell room. Beyond the candy, which I admit I like as much as anyone, Halloween often goes to extremes in certain ways, celebrating death and horror ...all with the claim that it is healthy entertainment.  

But most of the danger, I do not believe lies here ...but in the lies that are told about God's character or what we believe He accepts.  He accepts us, with our sin ...but He does not accept the sin.   He accepted the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus ...and accepts us who accept His Son.    

Most people who discount the Bible as true, yet say they accept Jesus, seem to ignore that Jesus quoted Old Testament writings, and He did not question the accuracy of them.

Why is it when logic, with a mix of a little signature humor is used, the claim is that it is nothing but indistinguishable nonsense ...nothing more? 

Me thinks I know!! 

If I'm serious ...I need to lighten up; and if I'm humorous, then I shouldn't be making light of it. At least, that's what I'm told.

Me thinks the Light shines, not to offend the shadows, but to define the boundaries. If it defines something we don't like, then stand directly beneath the Light ...and cast no shadow of doubt.

Do you truly want Redistribution of Wealth?

                                                                                                                                                                                                    The only ones that I've come across who truly believe in redistribution of wealth are the missionaries.  They give up almost everything, in the hope that others can someday share in the wealth of beholding the glory of God.  I recommend to put your mouth where your money isn't:  Confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart!   (In the long run, you'll be a benefactor of true equality and justice.)

Don't lose faith ...

                                                                                                                                                                                                       I had a cold, and waking up often amidst much REM sleep ...so much jumbled thoughts ...those college years.   Sniffling in the other room ...pray for the family ...pray for nieces and nephew in college ...I sure could've used prayer when I was in college ...I know Mom was praying for me ...not a comfortable place for me ...being around Dad and Mom was comfortable, but these people are not them, and I don't know what they want, they don't know what they want ...I don't know what I want ...and not that it scares me, but it's a tad bit uncomfortable ....got to make the grade; not too difficult, as I was disciplined in High School.    Socially, now that's a different story, ...I'm quite inept, but something that is quite interesting, is that the most uncomfortable event was what gives me the most comfort today ...I recall, three or four strangers, all of a sudden there in my face, asking me if I were to die that day whether I was certain I'd go to Heaven ...I remember thinking that I can not boldly state that which is God's judgment, and I said something like: "I hope so ...I think  ...".   Why did I think so, really?   Was it because I had warm fuzzy feelings inside sometimes?   Was it because I've been told many times that God is love, and in His love, of course, why not?    No, I felt beyond that!   There were many times I was distraught, and in the quietness, I felt God's presence comforting me with the kind of reasoning that I couldn't achieve without Him.   But though boldness can sometimes be a good thing, I didn't have any bit of it ...in any area.   Some of the students in my dorm had boldness, and they would tell these religious characters to, "Get lost!"   But in hindsight, no one needs to get lost, we all start out that way.  And now I realize that though the boldness should never be me, but only that which comes from He who created me, and I can boldly say, "Yes, I'm confident that I'm going to Heaven!"   And I'm thankful those young men challenged my thoughts ...I wish there were some way I could thank them personally.   What I was studying at the time was evolution, a college requirement, and quite interesting.  And I believe we are still evolving into something, in fact, evolving quite rapidly in the past couple of years ...mostly in cities throughout the world.  So, I'm praying for those in college today, hoping too much doesn't transpire before they can boldly and with confidence make every decision with our loving Creator in mind.   It's not uncool to follow the Bible ...it's just often unpopular, but it's more comfortable in the long run.   And I'm in for the long run!   I hope you are too!!!

Just saw the movie "Courageous" ...

Sunday afternoon ...sunny, such a beautiful day, so my beautiful wife and I went to the movies.  So many movies are empty and baseless; or just to entertain and filled with the wrong substance.   This one was filled with all 'the right stuff'.  

Tigris and Euphrates ...where civilization began.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Let's go back to where civilization began.   How did the people stop being civilized?   We are supposed to be the 'salt of the earth'; but not like Lot's wife.   In that case, I wouldn't want to become a pillar of the community.  

What makes the difference?   I think I have an idea:   It's whether we look back with regret; or wanting to go back to where we came from, in some way or another.   Shouldn't we look forward?   

(http://shouldntwethinkthisthrough.blogspot.com/)   

Yes, looking back on the past can be helpful, as long as we don't long to be there.   Our hope should be in the future.  

We hopefully learn from our mistakes throughout history; but our personal hope is to cling to 'His story', and our promise through Jesus.

Many years ago I said I loved a certain type of food ...it could have been ice cream, or a favorite casserole. I was told by a co-worker from India that we love God and people, but not food. In this past week, that same thought came up again. This time it was a child leaving me with the thought. The mention was 'just love' the way the Lions and Tigers are doing! I was told again, "That is not love!" Once again, I thought about that ...do we give our undivided attention to anyone for three hours at a time, on a continual basis? The Pastor doesn't go on that long, in fear that he would ...and do I fear also, that that amount of time may be expected, or perhaps rejected?