God has given us so much!
Many couldn’t think of anything… A few said, “Not much!”
What about sunsets, sunrises, flowers, life itself, love and friendships, as well as hope!
Certainly our own human weaknesses can destroy much happiness. There are also storms, floods, earthquakes and all other events that used to be called ‘acts of God’ in the insurance small print.
However, mostly we enjoy life, when we are able to thank God for all his goodness to us.
He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
Acts 14:17 (www.laridian.com)
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]]>Depends on what YOU mean by woke…
It really did on the day!
Those who thought that being woke was simply to be someone who rose up against racism and abuses of power in society usually voted “Yes!”. Jesus was certainly against racism, saying that he had come for all people, just as he sent his followers to spread the good news of his life, death and resurrection to all people, to the ends of the earth.
He also opposed the ruling religious class for their spiritual hypocrisy and the way they were unaccepting of other racial groups.
Those who voted “No!” had some idea that Jesus believed, for example, in the creation of the world by God, marriage being between a man and a woman, and immorality being wrong. They felt that the current meaning of “woke” as being progressive would not tolerate such an attitude.
What do you think?
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]]>Self-absorption or self-sacrifice?
Another way of putting it – serving self only, versus serving others?
If we are self-absorbed, do we recognize it?
Self-absorption is only concerned with self, and the importance of self.
If we are self-sacrificing, do we recognize it?
Self-sacrificing probably is other person-centred, and doesn’t ‘blow its own trumpet’.
Most people chose ‘Both’. That seems realistic. A bit like in a plane. The cabin crew advise us to first put the oxygen mask on ourselves, then on our accompanying child.
Jesus was amazingly different. His actions showed no self-absorption, but rather self-sacrificing. Ultimately, at great personal cost, he willingly gave his life for us. Three days later, showing the truth of his predictions, he came back to life again.
“… I have not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)(http://www.laridian.com)
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]]>Our culture has elevated sex
Sex is great, and such a gift to us! In its rightful place…
We all know that it also can devastate in the wrong circumstances. Coercion, trafficking, rape for a start…
What about sexual faithfulness? Is that higher or lower in this religion?
What about love and kindness to the other person during, before, and after sex? Is that higher or lower in this religion?
Elevating sex itself to this high level of worship could also be seen as extreme self-centredness and selfishness, couldn’t it? The ultimate of ‘me-first’. You, and all the others, I really don’t care about.
Then there is lust, versus love…
What’s your reaction to this topic?
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]]>‘Pro-Choice or Pro-Life?
Does being pro-life mean that society is more civilised, or does being pro-choice mean that?
You can see from the blackboard result opposite that the majority of respondents in the market thought the latter.
I do find that difficult to accept
It is hard and inappropiate to call abortion anything other than the process of killing a baby in utero. It cannot be honestly sanitised to an alternative definition. Baby is the special word we have come to call the living human in the pregnant mother. We never hear a pregnant mum say her ‘foetus’ is kicking, or ‘just some tissue’ is starting to move, or has a heartbeat.
Once we know about the process of abortion, and especially if we see it on a live video, there is also no way we can think of the baby as anything other than living, and abortion as anything other than the killing of it. The reality is that the process is truly horrible to watch.
A mother’s love is normally accepted as the most exemplary of all forms of human love, isn’t it? Maybe there should be more forms of support for an expectant mother, so that she is more able to support and carry her baby to its birth?
I like that saying I heard somewhere – “Love them both.” They both have rights.
A civilized society?
What is that?
The Cambridge Dictionary is the first that came up with a one sentence definition on a search: – “A civilized society or country has a well-developed system of government, culture, and way of life and that treats the people who live there fairly.”
“Fairly”?
Abortion can’t be fair to the baby. The baby hasn’t done any crime. It is innocent of any wrong. As well, its DNA genetic make-up is completely unique and different to its mother’s and father’s. Amazingly, its circulating blood and other organ systems are totally separate, even though they are dependent and enclosed within the body of its dear mother. That place should be the safest of all places, and both should be protected and safe.
Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia?
When laws are enacted to allow such to happen, all looks safe and tidy. However, the risks for misuse can easily be imagined, if we are realistic.
To be fair, this needs to be discussed in another Post!
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]]>What should trump everything else?
We all make priorities in our lives.
Instinctively, we choose what is most important and what is less, and then seek to live with as little inconsistency as possible.
Would life, or love, faithfulness, choice, God, Atheism, or coffee, or whatever, be the priority that trumps all else in the core of your being? Or would it just be your sexual identity?
What about serving others, kindness, family, safety, meaning, morality, or faithfulness?
What is your reasoning for your decision?
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]]>The post Why am I here anyway? appeared first on Life Hope.
]]>We all have that question sometimes
Do you keep on remembering those times in your life? They can be milestones, or they can be dark nights of despair. Is there meaning in life?
It’s all very well for the guy in the picture – the sunrise is great, the sky is beautiful, and he may be greatly encouraged.
However, for many, they still haven’t found a satisfying answer.
Are we looking in the best places for the answers?
It may sound “religious”, and after all, many would think that extremely uncool, but this is what Jesus said:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)
The “his” is God’s.
“All these things” could include “Why am I here anyway?” That is, the purpose of your life.
To please the God of the Bible
For me, the purpose of my life has become to please the God of the Bible. I have found him to be perfect, consistent and amazing.
Over time, I have become more and more convinced of that through studying the evidence found in the Bible, by reasoning following on from that, and lastly, my own personal experience over many years.
So to seek to better please him has become more and more an ongoing project of joy for me!
Share your thoughts?
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