Faith – Page 28 – Wanderings

Thirty Years Ago

joe December 9, 2008 Church, Faith

The news last month was filled with "Special Reports" on the 30th anniversary of the end of Jim Jones and his "People's Temple". That was a point in history that was very close to me, since I lived in San Francisco at the time. I remember clearly where the Temple was located, and do remember a couple of people who worshipped there.

This low point in history really stands out in the end chapter 2 in First John. John cautioned the early church to beware of those who "preach a different gospel." His words struck clearly at people who lied about the Gospel, and people who fell for the lies. It was kind of like a parent saying to a child "didn't I tell you…"

I think that is one of the reasons I like First John – he keeps on saying over and over again, "I want you to know." It was not simply enough that you listened, but you reached the point where you knew something. Kind of like "knowing" arithmetic – someone can't give you the wrong change in the store, because you know that 25 cents plus 75 cents is one dollar.

The people who perished with Jim Jones were there in his "church" for many different reasons – they liked the music or the communal living or the "whatever." But shame on them for not comparing what he taught to the truth they knew.

Maybe that was it – they did not know the truth, and so they followed in the hopes of discovering the truth. They failed to read the truth for themselves – they listened to what Jim Jones had to say about the Bible. Read IT for yourself, and let the "Book" talk to you, then decide.

Thanksgiving Over?

joe December 6, 2008 Faith

Not the way I see it. Everyday should be a reason for giving thanks. It's kinda too bad that people make a big deal about Thanksgiving Day, and then try to stumble through the rest of the year.

If you have ever suffered any disaster in your life – fire, auto accident, major surgery, etc. then you know what it feels like to "be better." Too many people forget how bad it was, and only want to moan about how bad it is now. I won't talk about the "guy with no legs", but forget about the people around you who are having problems. Look instead to where you have been, and be thankful that you are not in that particular pit right now.

The Apostle Paul, over and over again reminded the early church and us that we need to be

Thankful wherever we are
Give thanks to God for everything
When you ask God for anything, do it with thanks!

So, when do we stop saying "Thanks?"

If…Then

joe October 14, 2008 Faith

Usually, this is something that programmers think about a lot as they write a program. Something like “If the user enters ‘NO’ then ring a bell or give an error message.” This “If…Then” phrase is what I will be teaching my students in the next few weeks.Interesting that this popped up in Dr Gil’s Devotion today. His was based on Proverbs 3:23 where Solomon starts out with “Then”. You can check it out HERE. According to him, Solomon is saying that “If and When” you have gotten wisdom, then you will have all these “other things.”This also works with where I was in I John 3 where John says (my translation) “we can’t see what we will be in the future, but when He gets here, we will be like Him if we keep practicing what He told us to do.” It also implies that “practice makes perfect.” We may not see immediate benefits, but over time, we will get better. If you jog, just remember how far you ran the first time you jogged. If you lift weights, how much can you “press” now compared to then. Kids get better at reading by reading, and the more they read, the better they get.Home run hitters practice hitting a lot. What are you practicing?