Around the Block
As some of you reading this will know, I have been around the block a few times. In the 65 years I have lived on this planet called earth, I have seen, heard and experienced the best and the worst of society: that includes the Church. In the hour we are living in today, I am troubled by the lack of discernment by so many of my Christian friends. Understandably it can be very confusing when we hear so many voices coming at us and all trying to sound like experts.
My background as a Christian and pastor is firmly entrenched in the belief that God is more powerful than any person or institution. I believe in miracles because I have experienced them in myself and others. I have not one ounce of doubt of God's ability to restore individuals and in fact I would not be a chaplain today if I only had my religion to fall back on. Some of you reading this are now confused because you think I just contradicted myself.
So many out there today are trying to promote the idea that a living God (Jesus Christ) is the same as their God. That is called being religious or as some like to call it, being spiritual. The idea behind being spiritual is simple: be a "good" person because all people all are basically good. Then there will be references to the "energy" inside you and the power within. None of those refer to Jesus dwelling in us: it is about "our" inner power.
The Bible puts all of us, and I do mean all, into one category: we are "all" sinners. Not quite the same as, "we are all basically good people". You see if we were all basically good people we would never have had wars and our environment would be free of all the bad stuff. That was God's plan. So when even Christians start falling into the trap of "we are basically all good", we are saying that we believe man ahead of God.
Getting back to the events of today, there is something else the Bible tells us as Christians. We are to obey the authorities God has placed in power over us. So when our authorities tell us to isolate ourselves from others, we do not hold church services on a Sunday morning! How dumb can you get?
The Church is not being persecuted and anyone trying to preach that lie should be ashamed of themselves. We are being asked to be our "brother's keeper" as stated in the Old Testament. There are conspiracy theories out there that are fascinating and maybe one day we will find out that someone was behind the COVID-19 outbreak but at this point in history we need to listen and obey those who are authorities on the subject.
We will all get through this but that doesn't mean many won't die in the process. I heard Cardinal Collins speak on TV yesterday and as always I was very impressed with his words. He wanted us to focus on the fact that our lives on this earth are simply the runway to eternity or as I would put it, we are just passing through. If you still think this is it and there is nothing after we leave this planet, please seriously reconsider. That runway to eternity is not by way of being a "good person" or by "thinking good thoughts" or by practicing some rituals taught by your religion. It is only by accepting the truth that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and asking for Him to be in control of your life.
If you are feeling anxious and fearful, Jesus will give you a peace in the midst of all the turmoil because you know where your future home is. You will know He is with you all the time, even when things look bleak. Millions upon millions have experienced this over the centuries and it is available to you today. If you know a follower of Jesus, ask them to help you find your way. Blessings!
My background as a Christian and pastor is firmly entrenched in the belief that God is more powerful than any person or institution. I believe in miracles because I have experienced them in myself and others. I have not one ounce of doubt of God's ability to restore individuals and in fact I would not be a chaplain today if I only had my religion to fall back on. Some of you reading this are now confused because you think I just contradicted myself.
So many out there today are trying to promote the idea that a living God (Jesus Christ) is the same as their God. That is called being religious or as some like to call it, being spiritual. The idea behind being spiritual is simple: be a "good" person because all people all are basically good. Then there will be references to the "energy" inside you and the power within. None of those refer to Jesus dwelling in us: it is about "our" inner power.
The Bible puts all of us, and I do mean all, into one category: we are "all" sinners. Not quite the same as, "we are all basically good people". You see if we were all basically good people we would never have had wars and our environment would be free of all the bad stuff. That was God's plan. So when even Christians start falling into the trap of "we are basically all good", we are saying that we believe man ahead of God.
Getting back to the events of today, there is something else the Bible tells us as Christians. We are to obey the authorities God has placed in power over us. So when our authorities tell us to isolate ourselves from others, we do not hold church services on a Sunday morning! How dumb can you get?
The Church is not being persecuted and anyone trying to preach that lie should be ashamed of themselves. We are being asked to be our "brother's keeper" as stated in the Old Testament. There are conspiracy theories out there that are fascinating and maybe one day we will find out that someone was behind the COVID-19 outbreak but at this point in history we need to listen and obey those who are authorities on the subject.
We will all get through this but that doesn't mean many won't die in the process. I heard Cardinal Collins speak on TV yesterday and as always I was very impressed with his words. He wanted us to focus on the fact that our lives on this earth are simply the runway to eternity or as I would put it, we are just passing through. If you still think this is it and there is nothing after we leave this planet, please seriously reconsider. That runway to eternity is not by way of being a "good person" or by "thinking good thoughts" or by practicing some rituals taught by your religion. It is only by accepting the truth that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and asking for Him to be in control of your life.
If you are feeling anxious and fearful, Jesus will give you a peace in the midst of all the turmoil because you know where your future home is. You will know He is with you all the time, even when things look bleak. Millions upon millions have experienced this over the centuries and it is available to you today. If you know a follower of Jesus, ask them to help you find your way. Blessings!
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