One of my favorite stories is from a collection of short stories written by Max Lucado, in a book entitled, Tell Me the Secrets.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
It was definitely a good story. But what is good?
What is the most wonderful thing you've ever experienced? What is the best time you ever had? What would you consider a real good day?
Try to answer those questions personally first ...then dream about something you haven't experienced, but that you'd imagine would be a great day.
Most of us dream ...so go ahead, spent a few moments dreaming of good things.
Our perspective has a lot to do with how we approach life.
But sometimes it's difficult to think positive ...as our lives do not go on without interruption.
Some things we can prevent, and others we can't.
I don't think any of us can say we've never had a nightmare ...and most of us know what it's like to court fear sometime or another.
So we probably could all share our fears also.
What is the worst time we ever had? What would we consider a real bad day? What is the most terrible thing we've ever experienced? What do we consider bad, real bad, and perhaps even outright (or having put out the right) wicked and evil?
If we were like the Australian redback widow spider, the Chinese mantis, or the female wolf spider ....I will not describe the behavior, but trust me, if I did you wouldn't favor it for your lot in life. Some of you may think that's funny, but I'd guess you wouldn't think so if you were on the receiving end. Most of us would agree it is bad, unless there is some sort of mental breakdown of conscience where nothing is consider bad.
When we think of a King, we think of a supreme ruler. Whether it is King Tut, King Herod, King Henry VIII (or some other number of Henry) ...or if the title is different, as in Chairman, or General Secretary, as less defining ...or Premier, Chancellor, President, or even Fuehrer. We all recognize some sort of supreme ruler over the people.
The question is how we feel about those who rule over us. And do we trust them?
If you saw wire like this outside our home, would we think it was to keep cattle contained ...or to keep us contained, and to protect us? Do we believe what we are told, without question? Does it matter to us whether they are telling us the truth?
There is a brain-teaser, or riddle about truth-tellers and liars.
The problem is to figure out who is telling the truth. Sometimes life seems like a riddle ...and is riddled with problems.
Today, I'd think we must first ask ourselves ...not what is true to us, but to be true to ourselves first.
Speaking of supreme rulers, and trust ...answer these questions:
#1) Do you believe in a Supreme Being(s) or simply that there is only evolution?
Do not be intimidated. Just because the great majority of the world believes in a Supreme Being, that is not reason enough to believe, just because the majority does.
#3) Most descriptions involve a struggle/conflict. Do you believe that good and evil exist? And how would you define that?
Remember, I already asked you to think about that ...and it is here that those thoughts come into play. Though this is not really something to play with.
I believe that good attempts to help, while evil seeks to destroy ...not to say that self-defense doesn't need to exist also.
I believe that good attempts to help, while evil seeks to destroy ...not to say that self-defense doesn't need to exist also.
#5) If you believe the Supreme Being is good, then how does someone who is good behave? Isn't there communication, sharing, and enlightenment?
This fence you see is not unlike that which surrounded much of East Germany ...which was called the Berlin Wall. Do we present this type of sharp exterior to protect ourselves?
If we look at those like Hitler and Stalin, they would selectively communicate, not share in what they planned to do, but instead hide the truth. I believe they were without conscience, and were overtaken with evil ways.
Wouldn't we favor to think a Supreme Being as different than that? If not, perhaps life's situations have overwhelmed us ...or we don't quite comprehend.
If we perceive others not to care, is it really that? Or are we too hurt, and feel caring hurts too much ...so it is our fear, combined with a bit of denial, added to our recipe of healing?
If we look at those like Hitler and Stalin, they would selectively communicate, not share in what they planned to do, but instead hide the truth. I believe they were without conscience, and were overtaken with evil ways.
Wouldn't we favor to think a Supreme Being as different than that? If not, perhaps life's situations have overwhelmed us ...or we don't quite comprehend.
If we perceive others not to care, is it really that? Or are we too hurt, and feel caring hurts too much ...so it is our fear, combined with a bit of denial, added to our recipe of healing?
We need to keep our focus on the King's Son, Jesus.
If we remove God from the picture, or paint a deceptive portrait of Him, then the most intellectual gathering will be absent of wisdom.
There is much spiritual blindness that appears to be spreading like wildfire. It is destroying families, churches, and our nation.
Our families are transforming, many churches have taken on a new identity, and our nation is eroding ...no thanks to what is being taught through the intellect of the media, our educational system, or that impulsive cry of intolerance (that Josh McDowell talks about in his book, The New Tolerance.).
Monday, July 2, 2012
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