THE PROBLEM WITH FACEBOOK

THE PROBLEM WITH FACEBOOK

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Genesis [NLT] 3:1-13 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

  Results of a recent survey by the University of Michigan discovered that heavy users of Facebook have a lower than normal life-satisfaction attitude; “… the more often young adults used the social network, the less happy they felt.”

  It’s noteworthy that this is not the only study of this type that found user problems with downbeat feelings.

  Digging deeper it was found that the problem isn’t with frequenting Facebook. It’s a matter of envy and comparative thinking.

  “Comparison is the thief of joy.” wrote author Daniel James Devine. (DJD, WORLD magazine, Sept. 21, 2013)

  In another article on same page DJD informed of smartphone GPS feature. When taking photo with some new smartphones GPS *coordinates are embedded. This means bad guys with tech skills could possibly find your picture snapping kid or you. Now that’s really depressing!  

  Wait! Can we add Facebook and a Smartphone to our list of dishonest excuses for feeling and walking low? Or may it just be yet another responsibility-shifting ploy after the fashion of our fore bearers?  EBB4

*Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all automatically erase when uploaded unless you setup to allow.

FALLING IN FAMILY PIT

PRIDE IN IDENTITY

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

1Timothy [NLT] 1:3-6 [Paul exhorted] When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees [KJV “genealogies”]. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. 5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love [KJV “charity”] that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.

  Let it be known that I don’t give a hoot about football, but do enjoy family genealogy and history, especially tales of how my ancestors lived. As was thinking about my sometimes hobby I recalled a warning about “genealogies” in the KJV and decided to see if I was contributing to my spiritual decline.

  Using STRONG’S I immediately found 1Timothy 1:3-6, then read the passage in several translations. Next I went to my e-library of Bible commentaries.

  In checking out Albert Barnes NOTES ON THE BIBLE I read: “And endless genealogies - This also refers to Jewish teaching. The Hebrews kept careful genealogical records, for this was necessary in order that the distinction of their tribes might be kept up. Of course, in the lapse of centuries these tables would become very numerous, complicated, and extended - so that they might without much exaggeration be called “endless.” The Jews attached great importance to them, and insisted on their being carefully preserved. As the Messiah, however, had now come - as the Jewish polity was to cease - as the separation between them and the pagan was no longer necessary, and the distinction of tribes was now useless, there was no propriety that these distinctions should be regarded by Christians. The whole system was, moreover, contrary to the genius of Christianity, for it served to keep up the pride of blood and of birth. Which minister questions - Which afford matter for troublesome and angry debates. It was often difficult to settle or understand them. They became complicated and perplexing. Nothing is more difficult than to unravel an extensive genealogical table. To do this, therefore, would often give rise to contentions, and when settled, would give rise still further to questions about rank and precedence.”

  Back then, those Jews made a big deal out of identifying their person by their ancestry. Some still do.

  My mind turned to several Bible characters, then Gideon in particular, he identifying his person by family genealogy: “Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”

 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”” (NLT Jud.6:11-15)

  Now I ponder “How do identify my person?”

  I could identify myself as did Gideon; A man in a family with history lacking great public prominence. There is a few family dishes displayed at the Smithsonian, but then I’m no delicately lovely teacup, am I?

  No. However, Jesus speaking metaphorically, I am a cup of sorts. As with Gideon, of worthwhile sort has been decided by the Potter’s hand. What this cup carries forth is under the Potter’s grace optional.

  After more reflection I conclude I carry the identity of the Potter.  EBB4

LIVING AND DYING IN POVERTY

LIVING IN POVERTY

Monday, November 18, 2013

As recorded in 3 books, Jesus explained: For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. (Mt.26:11; Mk.14:7; Jn.12:8)

Luke [NLT] 18:5-29 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. 16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’”21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?”27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”28 Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.”29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

  I’ve known poor people since being a small child. Mom’s mother, a widow, my Grandmother McGee, and her brother, my Uncle Jim McGee, thrice wounded shell-shocked WWI veteran, lived with us from before I was born until they died.

  Along the railroad tracks we young boys walked to our swimming and frog-gigging fish-seining snake-killing swampy location was lined with shanties. I remember when a freight train was heard a-coming we would cease and sit on the bank to watch the stoker roll large chunks of coal off the tender for the shanty people. As the train kept rolling the lumps would burst apart as they hit the edge of the railroad bed. The people would scramble picking up the cooking and heating fuel.

  Across from our home was a large old plantation where “table crops” were grown. In the run down main house and dirt floored slave shacks “colored folks” lived. The women worked as underpaid cooks and housemaids plus other menial employment. The men, most of them day laborers, dug ditches, septic systems, wells, and whatever else manual labor they could find. When the fields of vegetables ripened the children of all ages helped with the harvesting.

  I’ve seen many poor since then.

  We never thought of ourselves as poor until with our 3 small children in  tow Ann and I were house hunting. The realtor showed us a nice place priced far above our pre-decided budget. When we told him this he cheerfully explained, “No problem at all. With your income for family of 5 you qualify for Johnson money!"

  Every time after that event I checked the government standard for poverty . . . I’ve discovered we are poor or living in borderline poverty.

  But being actually or by political say-so poor is not the biggest life and death problem, is it?  EBB4

JUST DO IT!

JUST DO IT!

Sunday, November 17, 2013 

1Corinthians NLT 3:5-9 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.

“To show that the Ark could be built quickly, consider Dutch creationist Johan Huibers, who built his own Ark of cedar and pine. BBC News reported on April 29, 2007 that Huibers had built a half-size replica of Noah's Ark in the town of Schagen. It was 150 cubits long, half the real Ark's size, and had three stories. Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras and bison inhabited the Ark's interior.” (http://www.creationtips.com/arklong.html )

  Answers In Genesis (AIG) is building an ark using old fashioned methods. (http://arkencounter.com/ )

  Noah warned the world of God’s coming righteous judgment of those that refused to repent and trust Him. Was Noah the first street preacher? I believe so. (Heb.11:7; 1Pet.3:20; 2Pet.3:5)

  God told Noah the what, why, and how . . . but Noah did not understand all involved or every detail of what would happen. Noah proved to be absolutely successful in building the ark, but a complete failure at street preaching. (Other than family, no others survived the flood, though admittedly some may have repented and died prior to lift off day.)

  Wait! Was Noah really a failure at telling people about God’s salvation? Not at all! God’s children are counted successful as and by their obedience. Noah obeyed God’s direction without measuring achievement by counting conversions, baptisms, membership, or attendance.

  So, how buoyant is our standard of success? Does it float or does it sink under the weight of ego-centric ME? Or does it built by 1Corinthians 3:7-9 serving and honoring the Lord?  EBB4

PS. On the other hand Jonah was not just resistant to preaching repentance, he flat out physically rebelled. Even when he obeyed it was with reluctance. Then when all from Nineveh’s entire population of 120, 000 from king to stable boys shoveling horse biscuits repented, Jonah was furious: “This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” (NLT Jon.4:1-4) 

WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD TELL US ABOUT SUFFERING?

WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD TELL US ABOUT SUFFERING?

Friday, November 15, 2013

  Again I’ve been asked about suffering, especially “Why?!” I’ve read several books and essays written by Christian authors. I read references on the topic in God’s Word. Doing so I’ve come to several conclusions:

·         Much suffering is because Adam’s original sin brought ongoing result of thorns and weeds, stress of labor, shame, regrets, and anxiety et al pain and sickness on our bodies; with consequential deterioration of all unto death. (Gen.2:17; 3:3)

·         Much suffering is the result of Adam’s original sin providing us with the knowledge of good and evil; with consequence of naked discordant choice living apart from God’s original intent and provision. (Gen.3:8-11. “Who told you that you are nude?”)

·         Much suffering is the product of original sin providing us with ability to be god of our own life. (Satan is a liar, but he didn’t lie about his promise in Genesis 3:4-5. James 4:1.)

·         The comparatively lesser amount of suffering is from and by God; For His reasons and often for our edification. (I and others have learned much from Job. Also, though we may think mountaintop experiences best, it is the valleys that contain refreshing streams and fertile soil.)

  Please continue today by reading the following excellent gotquestions.org essay and be blessed with further understanding; Discernment that can alleviate our suffering.  EBB4

Question: "What does the Bible say about suffering?"

  Of all the challenges thrown at Christianity in modern times, perhaps the most difficult is explaining the problem of suffering. How can a loving God allow suffering to continue in the world which He created? For those who have endured massive suffering themselves, this is much more than a philosophical issue, but a deep-seated personal and emotional one. How does the Bible address this issue? Does the Bible give us any examples of suffering and some indicators on how to deal with it?
  The Bible is startlingly realistic when it comes to the problem of endured suffering. For one thing, the Bible devotes an entire book to dealing with the problem. This book concerns a man named Job. It begins with a scene in heaven which provides the reader with the background of Job’s suffering. Job suffers because God contested with Satan. As far as we know, this was never known by Job or any of his friends. It is therefore not surprising that they all struggle to explain Job’s suffering from the perspective of their ignorance, until Job finally rests in nothing but the faithfulness of God and the hope of His redemption. Neither Job nor his friends understood at the time the reasons for his suffering. In fact, when Job is finally confronted by the Lord, Job is silent. Job’s silent response does not in any way trivialize the intense pain and loss he had so patiently endured. Rather, it underscores the importance of trusting God’s purposes in the midst of suffering, even when we don’t know what those purposes are. Suffering, like all other human experiences, is directed by the sovereign wisdom of God. In the end, we learn that we may never know the specific reason for our suffering, but we must trust in our sovereign God. That is the real answer to suffering.
  Another example of suffering in the Bible is Joseph’s story in the book of Genesis. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. In Egypt, he was indicted on false charges and thrown into prison. As a result of Joseph’s suffering and endurance, by God’s grace and power, Joseph is later promoted to governor of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. He finds himself in a position to make provision for the nations of the world during a time of famine, including his own family and the brothers who sold him into slavery! The message of this story is summarized in Joseph’s address to his brothers in Genesis 50:19-21: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.”
  Romans 8:28 contains some comforting words for those enduring hardship and suffering: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” In His providence, God orchestrates every event in our lives—even suffering, temptation and sin—to accomplish both our temporal and eternal benefit.
  The psalmist David endured much suffering in his time, and this is reflected in many of his poems collected in the book of Psalms. In Psalm 22, we hear David’s anguish: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Oh my God, I cry out by day but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 'He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'”
  It remains a mystery to David why God does not intervene and end his suffering and pain. He sees God as enthroned as the Holy One, the praise of Israel. God lives in heaven where all is good, where there is no weeping or fear, no hunger or hatred. What does God know of all that humans endure? David goes on to complain that “dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”
  Did God ever answer David? Yes, many centuries later, David received his answer. Roughly one millennium later, a descendant of David named Jesus was killed on a hill called Calvary. On the cross, Jesus endured the suffering and shame of his forefather. Christ’s hands and feet were pierced. Christ’s garments were divided among his enemies. Christ was stared at and derided. In fact, Christ uttered the words with which David opens this psalm: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” thus identifying Himself with the suffering of David.
  Christ, the eternal Son of God in whom the fullness of God dwells, has lived on earth as a human being and has endured hunger, thirst, temptation, shame, persecution, nakedness, bereavement, betrayal, mockery, injustice and death. Therefore, He is in a position to fulfill the longing of Job: “If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot” (Job 9:33).
  Christian theism is, in fact, the only worldview which can consistently make sense of the problem of evil and suffering. Christians serve a God who has lived on this earth and endured trauma, temptation, bereavement, torture, hunger, thirst, persecution and even execution. The cross of Christ can be regarded as the ultimate manifestation of God’s justice. When asked how much God cares about the problem of evil and suffering, the Christian God can point to the cross and say, “That much.” Christ experienced rejection from God, saying, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” He experienced the same suffering as many people do today who are feeling isolated from God’s favor and love.

Recommended Resources: The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis and Logos Bible Software.

Read more from GotQuestions.org: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-suffering.html#ixzz2kiLdG4JZ

 

 

CONCLUDING ANGEL STUDY

MY CONCLUSION ON ANGEL STUDY

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Hebrews 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

  Today is final segment on angels. It has not been a study to the nth degree. However, judging by responses on and off record, there has been education, edification, and some healthy controversy. I am pleased and can wish for no more.

  In review:

·         For some, angelology is new word in their vocabulary.

·         There is still much we don’t know about angels.

·         Quite a bit of public belief is conjecture, especially in classical art and contemporary graphics.

·         We don’t become angels when we die.

·         Angels are actual beings.

·         Angels are servants.

·         Angels have great power under God’s authority.

·         Angels also have free will.

·         Angels also rebel against God.

·         Satan was angel Lucifer.

·         There are numerous angel encounters recorded in Old and New Testament.

·         Jesus talked and taught about angels.

·         We will judge angels. (A surprise to a number of subscribers.)

·         Though I believe demons are fallen angels, there is more than one school of thought on the topic.

·         Though I believe there are guardian angels, some do not.

  As with any study, each of us is left with general impression and particular impression.

  My particular comes under be aware heading with possibility of my history including lack of recognition and paying attention to God’s messenger (angel); I need to be more attentive.

  And what is your main conclusion?  EBB4

 

DEMON ANGELS

DEMON ANGELS

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Matthew [NLT] 25:41 [Jesus said] Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons [KJV “angels”].

  When God created angels we don’t know. Among the little bit we know about them it’s obvious that prior to God creating man endowed with free will, angels had volition. This is evidenced in the Revelation record: “Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth.

  Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept away one-third of the stars in the sky, and he threw them to the earth. He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born.

  She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days.

  Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.” (NLT Rev.12:1-9)

  I have no doubt these rebellious fallen angels are the demons that possess some of the unredeemed crowd and at times hound redeemed members of God’s family.

  I believe I’m thinking plausibly when considering that if not the fallen angels, then who? Did God create a separate wicked class of beings as demons? I determine this impossible as in studying His Word I don’t see the potential anywhere in His moral fiber, or as possibly an out-of-character aberration.

  Knowing some of you for more than a few years, at this point I suspect a few are thinking “But did God create evil?” Tomorrow’s DT drawn from GotQuestions.org will answer the question.  EBB4