Yesterday I had conversation with a friend who is learning about all the bad stuff that is current and forthcoming with our government, our nation, our economy, our currency, our way of life here in America. He was informed, and becoming overwhelmed. I listened, and I've heard much of it already from others. I don't disagree completely. But what should we believe? And more importantly, how do we apply what we know and learn???
Also, as I listened to a great "Christian" radio station recently, (I just had to " " the word Christian because only people can truly be Christian) the DJ made comment that the Golden Rule can be helpful in life. Well, I agree. However, I thought his comment was a huge understatement. The concept of the Golden Rule is found in the Bible, Matt. 7:12. Jesus says "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them." But he does not stop there. He includes "for this is the Law and the Prophets." Here, and in a few other places in the NT, Jesus is concluding his discourse about how we should live according to the commands of God with a distilling of truth. He summarizes all that has been written and said before with his new pithy statement. ( I said pithy not petty )
For myself and all seekers of truth, we should hear this message from Jesus. He is brief and to the point. If you really believe following Jesus is the way to live, start practicing what he says. The application of his condensed truth is simple enough for children to apprehend. Honestly, I don't even need to explain how to apply this simple rule found in Matt 7:12. You know how.
So, this is some real informative stuff that will not leave us fuzzy and scratching our heads. To me it is no small thing that can never be overstated. Lord, help me to obey this simple mandate. Also, help my friend as he sorts through all the "overwhelming truth about how to live with the impending collapse of our beloved well being and lifestyles."
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Three teenage boys agree to split a pizza. They order up a nice one that will cost $30. (it better be nice) One ambitious boy takes money ($10 from each) and goes to pick it up. Surprise, he gets a discount today, and pays only $25 for the pizza. He returns with the pizza, and refunds each boy $1, including himself. He decided to keep the other $2 for the trouble. (seems fair, besides you cannot easily split $5 three ways) Now each boy is in for $9 each. 3 x 9 = 27 If the three are now into the pizza for a total of $27, and $2 left over went into the ambitious boy's pocket, (27 + 2 = 29) what happened to the other dollar?
If you have never seen this riddle, it might be tricky to figure out quickly. A hint here; your mind went one way with the numbers. Is there another way to see the numbers? This riddle is a good illustration of how easily we can be tricked, deceived, or misinformed. That is one good reason we need to be careful about "being right".
True story. I was once talking to an old friend in the fire service. He grew up on a small farm, raised gardens and livestock, and had chicken house full of hens and roosters. I raise chickens, so we were talking chickens and eggs. In conversation, I made mention that I had shot my rooster because it got mean. He laughed and then commented, "better replace it soon if you want eggs". I paused and then stated that I did NOT need a rooster to get eggs from my hens. He got frustrated as he adamantly stated that I was wrong. Well, I've keep chickens for many years, sometimes without roosters, and still get eggs. He had grown up always with hens and roosters together. He had concluded that it takes both to produce eggs. It was obvious to him. Well, just so happens he drew the wrong conclusion. This process of logical reasoning failed him, this time. By the way, he happens to know far more than I do about lots of farm issues.
How easily we could be wrong. I've been wrong and found it difficult to be adjusted. Lord help me.
Oh yea, it takes a rooster to get fertile eggs from the hen.
If you have never seen this riddle, it might be tricky to figure out quickly. A hint here; your mind went one way with the numbers. Is there another way to see the numbers? This riddle is a good illustration of how easily we can be tricked, deceived, or misinformed. That is one good reason we need to be careful about "being right".
True story. I was once talking to an old friend in the fire service. He grew up on a small farm, raised gardens and livestock, and had chicken house full of hens and roosters. I raise chickens, so we were talking chickens and eggs. In conversation, I made mention that I had shot my rooster because it got mean. He laughed and then commented, "better replace it soon if you want eggs". I paused and then stated that I did NOT need a rooster to get eggs from my hens. He got frustrated as he adamantly stated that I was wrong. Well, I've keep chickens for many years, sometimes without roosters, and still get eggs. He had grown up always with hens and roosters together. He had concluded that it takes both to produce eggs. It was obvious to him. Well, just so happens he drew the wrong conclusion. This process of logical reasoning failed him, this time. By the way, he happens to know far more than I do about lots of farm issues.
How easily we could be wrong. I've been wrong and found it difficult to be adjusted. Lord help me.
Oh yea, it takes a rooster to get fertile eggs from the hen.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Hello
It's about time I tried this. My wife and kids and friends have suggested I put all my ruminating (that's my word not theirs) out for inspection. I've discovered that years of musing and writing has been good for me, even if no one else reads or benefits. More than once I've been in conversation and had someone say "you always think your opinion is right". It just might have been my wife. Anyway, who in their right mind would share an opinion if they didn't actually think they were right. I'm often wrong. I'm just waiting for you or my wife or God to show me. The point is we all want to be right, and think so. In my right mind, I will never be wrong on purpose. So please help me.
About being right. Do you know where the need to be right comes from? More than disobedience and falling from grace, what occurred in the Garden of Eden with the "bad" tree created in mankind an insatiable desire to know, in particular the desire to discern right and wrong. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil allowed us to be "godlike", to discern, to become responsible for our moral destiny. I think God preferred another way, but mankind imbibed this path, his own way. Therefore, without much effort, we all share this fallen nature that strives for what is right. Unfortunately, we are naturally right in our own eyes. So, from the beginning God has purposed to correct this misfortune.
I really cherish your opinion and will listen. Try me.
About being right. Do you know where the need to be right comes from? More than disobedience and falling from grace, what occurred in the Garden of Eden with the "bad" tree created in mankind an insatiable desire to know, in particular the desire to discern right and wrong. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil allowed us to be "godlike", to discern, to become responsible for our moral destiny. I think God preferred another way, but mankind imbibed this path, his own way. Therefore, without much effort, we all share this fallen nature that strives for what is right. Unfortunately, we are naturally right in our own eyes. So, from the beginning God has purposed to correct this misfortune.
I really cherish your opinion and will listen. Try me.
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