Good (God) versus Bad (Evil)

Wow! My apologies for the long absence.  It certainly has not been for the lack of material!

What about The nativity display in Athens, Texas? It hit the national news scene.

What of the earth quake seismographic technicians say caused by the dam built over a fault line in China?

Of course there is never a shortage of political  material, especially in the pre-election season! The primary elections are coming up in the spring, so mud slinging, name calling, black eyes and thrown punches are common place. I am not saying these common things are okay, just that we have been conditioned to it and does not seem to stir our hearts anymore, but we do let our emotions over power our rational, decency, friendliness and concern. I am devastated!

There are very good reasons and great wisdom in avoiding all of the things that distract us from the truth. For instance, would you want to be in the constant company of someone who was always saying you were wrong about a statement, misled about a concept and at fault for a poor decision? I tend to doubt it. Not even the Grinch in Dr. Susses' tale of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" wanted to be ridiculed, scorned or mocked.

We have no problem with being abrupt, curt or even slightly offensive to our family, co-workers and other drivers, but have you ever noticed how quickly our demeanor changes when a friend calls, or public figure walks up?

There is a great admonition in Philippians division 4. I want to focus on a part of the division and I will quote it here:

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

What a difference! To think on the things that are true (having a standard of right and not being based off of what is not wrong), honorable (respectable; to live by standards; to have conviction) , just (exempt from punishment by law), pure (never sullied with corruption), lovely (beautiful, gorgeous, inspiring to good), commendable, excellent and worthy of praise (valuable of compliment).

Yes, what a difference that would make it our world, if even just 1 in 30 people did this.