Opinions

Since before the world was made, God has known you and loved you. He has never taken His eyes away or ignored you. If you were to write down all the blessings and victories He’s provided, they would prove He has called you, saved you, and has been guiding and helping you every day of your life. You might say, it doesn’t seem like it, but remember, many times we made decisions that were not a part of His plan. It’s common to be filled with a mixture of emotions. Worry, stress, sadness, and anxiety are everywhere, but just because there is a tornado of events going on around us does not mean we have to allow them to control us. Our minds are like sponges that absorb the constant sights and sounds of our chaotic world, but remember we are called to be guardians of what we think about. It’s in the quiet secret place of God’s presence that fills us with His hope, peace, and contentment.

Dear Readers: When I told a casual friend/former hairdresser that my dog had just been “put to sleep,” she reached over without hesitation and hugged my neck in a genuine expression of concern. “I am so sorry,” she said.

The common thread of Christianity pertaining to the understanding of the Bible is that everyone who declares by faith to be born again has free access to the Holy Spirit to help them discern what it means. At the same time, we must also consider that, with human free will, each individual has the opportunity to form their own opinions. It’s common and normal for Christians to have the confidence to voice their own interpretations, even if it’s rejected by their fellow brothers and sisters. Yes, the majority immediately condemns biblical and spiritual views that do not line up with mainstream theology as the errors of a novice or, even worse, a heretic. Multiply this among the billions of believers, and we have what is known as a divided, confused, and hostile world of religiosity.

I listened this weekend as the television announcers declared that presidential candidate Donald Trump was landing his 747 in Mobile, Ala. They said the city’s name as if it was a Mo-BUL phone, or a Mo-BUL blood drive unit or a Mo-BUL military detachment.

Envy is a feeling of discontent, resentment, and begrudging, aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck. It’s simply desiring the resources and opportunities someone else has so that we can purchase and create the life we fantasize about. We may not want a person’s specific home, vehicles, talents, or spouse, but we may want their finances and charisma so we can have a similar life. James chapter 3 and verses 14 16 allow us to see how this is a very serious spiritual problem. “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

I was sitting with my arm outstretched, purposely not looking at the needle which was drawing blood from the artery in the crook of my elbow. Since my childhood days, I’ve found a spot on the ceiling in whatever doctor’s office I found myself, and I have stared at that spot, daring myself to give in or fall apart. When the phlebotomist finished taking two small vials of blood, I admitted that I felt brave and strong. So I casually asked, “What are the benefits to giving blood?” She resisted saying, “Duh,” and answered in a chipper tone, “Well, you could save somebody’s life.”

It was 1974, my senior year in high school and boy; did we have some movies to see. There was the hilarious Blazing Saddles, the Towering Inferno, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Young Frankenstein and the epic gangster film, The Godfather Part II. Michael Corleone, portrayed by Al Pacino. He described how his father raised him to survive against power struggles and mainly, betrayals. The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won Best Picture. Of the nominations, six took home Oscars. Today’s would-be gangsters impersonate thugs, but they are mice compared to the Corleone crime family of Vito, Sonny, Fredo and their ruffians and Mafia hitmen.

Do you remember that old song in Vacation Bible School that said, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart? Do you still have it today? I hope you do, because as God’s children we have lots to be joyful about. Be edified as you read I Thessalonians 5:16-18, and Romans 12:12. Humanity has always sought contentment within their souls, but rebellion and a lack of understanding are huge joy crashers. In Hosea 4:6, God’s word declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” and He continues to talk about how the masses reject His truth. What knowledge and what truth? He’s simply talking about knowing who He is and following Him. We notice God uses the word “destroyed” because without knowing about the divine realities of absolute truth, we will not comprehend the danger of living without being born again. Oh sure, people can be moral and even somewhat religious, but many have never experienced a life-changing encounter with the one who created them. On the outside, they might seem content, but within their spirit, they are not developing into the person God wants them to become.

Embracing truth while ignoring gossip and opinions The majority of the world does not agree with the God of the Bible being the author and finisher of their faith. With so many diverse religions and philosophical convictions, along with masses of people that have no spiritual affiliation at all, we still realize that today’s spiritual and political environment is not that much different from thousands of years ago. Humans are influenced by what we hear and read, so an important consideration is how much knowledge we have discovered that we know is true. Especially since the invention of the internet, independent research and critical thinking are hardly necessary. Today, information is given to us instantly, but shouldn’t we be asking asking God instead? Jesus talks about this in the Sermon on the Mount, and all leaders should study it carefully.

Sometimes it’s not easy to eat crow. Something about the feathers doesn’t taste well. And then there are those nasty anisodactyl feet – four toes, one of them points backward. They are scaly and hard to get down. Swallowing the bird that eats dead meat, you know – carrion, just turns my stomach. Consuming a scavenger, like a buzzard, a rat or a crow, is downright distasteful. So does admitting I was wrong. A colloquial idiom, eating crow, is to admit one’s words have been proven wrong. Since discovering the three-part movie series, Reacher, starring Tom Cruise, this writer became a huge fan of the character of the titular name. Based on the novels by Lee Child, the shows are about a former military policeman, Jack Reacher, whose travels across the country presents him with opportunities to solve crimes. His style of street justice gets things done.