I
think the song “Imagine” by John Lennon is one of the saddest songs I have ever
heard. They lyrics are about searching for a better world—a world where
everyone lives in peace and love abounds. That’s Christianity. But the problem with Christianity is
Christians who don’t live as Jesus taught.
Imagine what the world would be like if everyone lived according to the
principles of Christianity.
A series of reflections on various issues. Pathway Peace has been a Christian for many years and writes from a Christian perspective. Thoughts are offered. Intelligent feedback is welcomed. Please do not use profanity or vulgarity. Please share your thoughts and views on subjects covered in the same spirit as I write my thoughts and views.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Marriage
Marriage is more than just
pro-creation; it is complementary. Men
& women were created to complete each other, whether they have children or
not.
In the book of Genesis (the Holy Bible) it
says:
The
Lord God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable
partner for him.” (2:18) When He
brought her to the man, the man said:
“This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one
shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.” That is why a man leaves his father and
mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body. (2:22b-24)
So God tells us in the Bible that “it’s not
good for man to be alone”; a man and a woman complement each other. And “the
two become one body”; they fit together like two puzzle pieces and their
joining can create a whole new body—a child.
Why We Have Sorrow and Suffering
September 11, 2001—such a
beautiful day for such horror. Most people did not understand (and still don’t)
that God allowed this breach in the protection of our nation to try to wake us
up to the evil invading our nation because we, as a whole, have turned away
from God.
The churches were filled; people turned to
God in prayer; those who had gone astray from God’s laws came back to the
straight and narrow path. Everywhere you heard “God bless America .”
But the face of evil fades. And people return
to their daily lives. For most, God recedes into the distance and they forget
that death is only a breath away.
Unfortunately, when times are good, people
tend to forget about God. Instead of turning to God in thanksgiving for their
blessings, they think that all the good in their lives is the result of their
own doing or just good luck. Many people see no need to worship, praise and
thank God when their lives are going well. It’s only when bad things happen,
either personally or communally, that the churches are filled.
So the only way God can get our attention is
to remove some of His blessing by allowing (not causing) evil to have free
reign in the form of illness, accidents, injury, death, bad weather or
disasters.
It’s not that God wants to punish us. He just
loves us so much (as a good parent loves his child) that he doesn’t want us to
ruin our lives or go to Hell when we die. He wants us to live as happy and fulfilled lives as possible
and then spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Jesus said:
The thief
comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy, I came that they might have life
and have it to the full. (John
10:10)
And 1 Timothy 2: 4 says:
for He
wants all men to be saved and come to know the truth.
So can we avoid sorrow and suffering? Unfortunately,
not all; we’re not in Heaven yet. And we’re not perfect, so we need discipline to
grow and mature. We also sometimes have to suffer the consequences of the
behavior of others.
But I believe that God protects those who
love and follow Him from as much sorrow and suffering as possible in this
fallen world. And if sorrow and suffering come, He will be with us through His
Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen us.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)