So, what about all this religious stuff?

I have listened, ad nauseum, to the many reports and discussions related to "The Da Vinci Code" and "The Judas Gospel" and other "hot" religious topics of the day. It seems there are many who are fascinated by any religious controversy or anything ABOUT the Bible, but not many seem truly interested in reading and knowing what the Bible actually teaches. Why is that?

I passed a church sign recently that read: "If you are living as if God does not exist, you had better be right!" That church has a point. Just because we choose to believe something is or is not true, does not define the truth of that thing. There is a wealth of information that will allow a rational person to study the larger questions of the existence of God, Jesus' claims, the validity of the Bible, and on and on. Anyone who wants to know, can know. So why do so many spend so much time on the periphery of these issues, rather than focusing on available resources for real answers? It is almost as if we prefer NOT to know.

Perhaps it is because knowing would require making a decision, and making changes in the way we live our lives. We tend to get comfortable with the world as we know it and don't like to change. But change is indeed a requirement to follow Jesus. The call for change is a continual theme throughout the Gospels: "If anyone would come after me, let him..." over and over this theme is heard. The Sermon on the Mount is a recitation of how to live as God would have us live.

In some ways Jesus calls for actions very contrary to our nature. "Turning the other cheek" is not the way we normally respond to a wrong. "Loving our enemies" is not our usual response. Hate seems a fairly normal emotion at times. Yet God, through Jesus, demands that He control our hearts and our very lives. How do we make this happen?

Well, the Good News of course is that we don't have to MAKE it happen! When we truly surrender our lives to the Lord, HE sends His Holy Spirit to indwell us and He changes our lives daily! Over time we see an incredible difference in how we see things and respond to events and people in our lives. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

IF I had it my way(IIHIMW)...
This is my first blog, and I have wa-a-a-y too much to say and too little time! I have wrestled with what to say in as few words as possible. I hate to make it a rant, but I can't resist. IF I were in charge of things:
1. IIHIMW, no President would order the invasion of another country without first meeting the following conditions:
a) Their children and/or grandchildren, and those of their major advisors would be REQUIRED to serve in combat (not like W served, nor Cheney with his five deferments, and MOST of the war hawks of both parties, but real endangered combat. They ALL must have a very personal stake to be in the game.)
b) Before committing to an invasion, the first step would be a challenge to the leaders of the two countries to meet in hand-to-hand combat. Bush vs. Saddam and may be best man win. This would probably settle most of the conflicts, or at least give pause to the successors!
2. While I appreciate Capitalism, the profit motive, etc. when practiced fairly and honestly, the truth is that it rarely is. Therefore, IIHIMW, I would stop the major oil companies in their tracks and order a full and complete review of their business practices. Their obscene profits are taking a huge toll on our economy. I am confident they would do just fine at far lower gas prices. Their CEOs and senior execs might have to get by with only a few million per year in salaries and bonuses instead of the reported several hundred million per year some are getting.
3. IIHIMW, everyone would be required to actually receive legitimate driver training. Some European countries do this, and their drivers are FAR more competent than ours. The result would be safer travel, less road rage, and far less crowded roads. Imagine the fuel savings if about one-fourth of the drivers were off the roads, and the Insurance savings from fewer wrecks, and the list could go on and on! We might actually WANT to drive somewhere rather than fly! That would also result in savings. AND, no more frustrating flight delays, cramps, etc.! Hooray! The benefits are almost endless!
4. IIHIMW, the political seasons would be shortened to a very few days or weeks--not this endless running for office, ads, smears, etc. Run the ads, make the smears, vote, and be done with it. Does anyone really believe it could be any worse than it is now?! This way the pain is shortened even if the result is no more satisfying. Who knows, we might actually get better persons elected----na-a-a-a-a-h! Too much to hope for there!
One other point. Today the incumbents are re-elected in about 95% of the races, due to having so much more money than their opponents. To insure a good person can actually win an election we need to eliminate the money influence. IIHIMW, No candidate could accept campaign contributions over twenty dollars. They would also be limited in what they could SPEND, otherwise the rich would always win. Each candidate would be provided a modest sum of money by the government with which to campaign.
5. There are many more great improvement I could suggest, but you get the idea. This country would be s-o-o-o-o much better if I were in charge. What does it cost to run for President? H-m-m-m.