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Posts Tagged ‘what is peace?’

FIXING THE WAYS OF MAN

Posted in Me & The World, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 5, 2024| 3 Comments »

This provocative quote, from the renowned member of the Monty Python comedy troupe, caused my brain to spin as I digested how Palin’s words connect with reality. Stay with me as I unpack this.

Are atheists deaf to the word of God? Palin is probably referring to the Christian Bible, which many people believe is inspired by the creator and master of time, space and the universe. I’ll venture to write that a whole of of people beyond atheists are ignoring what God wants for this broken world. And sometimes, those people include ME and other people who follow Jesus of Nazareth (who many folks believe is the Son of God).

Consider this: the Bible is often hard to understand and hard to find relevant in the world today. It requires thought and checking in with people who have made it their life’s work to shine a light on what God is all about. Even that won’t do it for some folks and I understand why.

From a Jesus-following perspective, if God hasn’t given you a supernatural insight into the Bible, then you’ll probably struggle to comprehend it and give it credibility. That’s just how it is.

Are “theists” (people who believe there is a Creator) blind to the ways of humanity? Not even a little. Those who follow Jesus are very aware that this world is struggling. We know that, on our own, humanity can’t get it right now matter how hard we try. Just consider the wars, terrorism, rampant greed and superficial narcissism that we see around us and hear about daily in the news.

All of humanity’s self-improvement hasn’t made a bit of difference. We’re still self-centred, still racked with jealousy and insecurity, still believing (even it if’s just on a subconscious level) that the person with the most toys wins.

Jesus followers know there is a solution to this. A better way that leads to what so many people are lacking: peace. That peace comes from our convictions, which state:

  • There is more to life than 70+ years of working, eating, sleeping and, finally, dying.
  • Following Jesus gives us new, life-changing insight on how to live a life of real fulfillment, love of all humanity (which echoes the love God has for ALL His creations) and peace.
  • This life is just the opening sentence in the book of all eternity. Jesus said so when He told anyone willing to listen that “whoever believes in [Me] will have eternal life.”

Do you understand how knowing this life is NOT all there is can change everything? It’s the way to peace!

So how do you get in on this? Jesus explained it in the quote above. You need to follow Jesus – declare Him your Lord, Saviour, best friend. When you do that with humble sincerity, He comes into your life and begins to make you the person God created you to be.

That’s a life-long process that won’t end until this life is finished and you’re in His presence forever. Sound interesting? Yes or no, post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.

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WHERE HE KNOWS YOUR NAME

Posted in Me & The World, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 3, 2024| 3 Comments »

“There’s something missing from my life. Sure, I have a nice wife, a career and a house; I guess I’m talking about that spiritual something to give it all meaning and enable me to be at peace with myself and the world.”

This was a monologue from Norm, the barfly played so expertly by actor George Wendt on the dearly loved American comedy Cheers. I happened to see it while skimming videos on Facebook and it stopped me in my tracks.

While the “speech” ended with a silly joke that was typical of the show, I saved the video because I believe if many of us gave it any consideration, what Norm said would accurately describe our lives.

It was certainly the case for me. In 2004, I had:

  • A career in print journalism that was going nicely
  • Experience with several satisfying romantic relationships
  • A home in surburbia

To any outsider, I had all that things that would make me a success. But something was missing.

So, at a certain point, I came to recognize that my life accomplishments didn’t mean much and they would disappear the moment my soul left my body. Maybe the fact that you’re reading this means you’re at, or near, this point in your life.

So here’s what I did: Because of attending church services as a child, I had a vague idea about Jesus of Nazareth, who many people believe is the Son of God. So, with an open mind, I started connecting with Jesus followers who were capable of having spiritual discussions with non-believers.

Over time, I came to understand two vital things: who Jesus is and who I am. Some folks think Jesus was just a cool guy with some great ideas worth following. Others believe He was nothing more than a made-up character.

If you give any credibility to the primary-source accounts of His physical life on earth, then you’ll know that Jesus didn’t allow us the option of figuring He was just a great thinker and good person. You either have to believe He is who He said He is (the Son of God who came to came to live, die and return to life for our benefit) or a lunatic with a god complex.

As for being a fictional character, who would do this and carry it through? And why? To get money, sex and power? Really?

As for us, most people in the world today figure they’re good and, if there’s any kind of creator and any kind of Heaven, then we’re good enough to get in on our own merits.

But that’s opposite to what Jesus said. He told anyone willing to listen that “you must be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” Once I understood that, I realized that being “good” was absolutely NOT good enough. I had to trust and follow Jesus, who claimed to be “the way, the truth and the life.”

Once I finally did that, my career changed (to telling others about Jesus), the women I dated changed (I married a Jesus follower) and I came to understand that the things this world values are meaningless in the grand scheme of things. My meaning and JOY comes from following Jesus and telling people like you about Him.

Are you missing something in your life? Then look into Jesus. I think He’s what you need. Agree? Disagree? Post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.

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CONSIDERING A PURE HEART & GOOD INTENTIONS

Posted in Me & The World, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 10, 2024| 7 Comments »

Ah, peace. We all want it and most of us think we don’t have nearly enough of it.

When I discovered this internet meme, three things immediately set my “spidey sense” tingling.

1. The creator of this meme believes the way to peace is good intentions and a pure heart. While lots of us have similar ideas about what makes up “good intentions”, I’m sure there are many points of divergence.

The ancient saying “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is still around today because it’s true. Here’s just one sad, unfortunate example:

Dr. Spock, the author of a famous handbook on child rearing, recognized that babies throw up a lot and therefore recommended newborns be laid on their stomachs to sleep. Unknowingly, this would result in thousands of accidental smothering deaths. We now know that newborns should sleep on their backs until they can roll over for themselves.

An internet search will provide many more examples of good intentions gone horribly wrong. So I need to ask: Who defines what is good? And how good is good enough?

Let me offer a very radical, very out-of-the-box answer: the creator of time, space the universe and YOU defines what is good AND how good is good enough.

ChristianWeek.com suggests achieving goodness means being kind and decent, compassionate and generous, resourceful and studious, curious and concerned with addressing injustice.

As a follower of Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is the Son of God), I’m delighted that these characteristics can be agreed on by pretty much everyone.

Here’s the controversial part: Jesus followers like me believe being good is absolutely NOT good enough. In one of the original-source biographies of His physical time on Earth, Jesus said “you must be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” Oh boy. This isn’t looking good for me, you or anyone else on this planet.

2. What is a pure heart? Ideapod.com has this definition: It doesn’t mean having any faults, but rather without any hidden intentions. It’s not about always being right or perfect, but rather doing your best to do the right thing.

This is all very, very laudable. I’m just not ready to say that me, you or anyone else has achieved it.

No matter how hard I work at it, there are times when I do NOT try my best to do the right thing. Despite my best efforts, there are occasions when I absolutely DO have hidden intentions. This means I fall short of Jesus’s standard for this life and the life to come. Can you, with complete honesty, claim you are pure-hearted?

3. What is the “end of the day”? The tone of the meme suggests it’s the end of life. If you believe there’s something beyond 70+ years on this planet, then the meme is ignoring that. Given the words of Jesus about Heaven and what’s required to get there, is that a good idea?

There’s a lot to ponder here. I suggest the best way to start is to investigate the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. If He’s right and your eternal life is at stake, then nothing is more important than checking Him out.

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