We all know the saying: 'the light at the end of the tunnel may be an oncoming train'. 

Or if you don't see any rails, it may be a speeding car.  

Or it may be nothing!! Well, it has to be something, as it is light ...coming from something.

What causes us to go towards something, or run away??

Too much fear, or not enough fear ...perhaps curiosity leads you.

Create excitement over the unknown, or fear & avoid the unknown.

We are often told that nobody really knows, it's all about how we feel, or what's acceptable.

Yet, though we may not know how we will react ...we often later have time to think things through.

And just speaking in general, do we view P.C. as how we perceive various aspects of life ...or do we instead look to J.C. ??(Obviously PC being Political Correctness, and though I somehow feel the mere initials is not honoring, Jesus Christ is my latter mention.)

We say, He is the Light ...and the Word of God. How then does the Bible stand when referencing things in the artificial light of Political Correctness??

This is not intended to be confrontational, nor to address any one subject ...it is what it is, and I believe the Bible is the Word of God.

And self-examination is something I'm told is in most cases good.

Conversations do take place ...

And it's not just husband and wife who differ on who started the conversation ...nor what is deemed relevant.

No, it's not as relevant how the conversation begins ...as how it proceeds.

And with Twitter, Facebook, or Blogs ...everyone can join the conversation, much more than a mere conversation among a circle of friends.

When we are together with friends, we have much opportunity to observe the reactions of others ...and to consider whether we think they have understood our intent or meaning of what we've said.  I try to make it as clear as possible here ...though there is no feedback, unless I 'link' it to Facebook or Twitter.

I know there are other ways to join conversations through the internet, but they are al most always people I don't know ...and who are a times a bit unhinged.

If the person knows me, then I have at least a beginning ...as usually the person knows me enough to know where I'm coming from. or what I mean (even in spite of my often clumsy writing).

And if the person is like-minded to an extent ...or if we have a common reference, well, at least we can refer back to that common point.

I am a Christian ...so, often my common reference is the Bible, what it says in entirety, and what it says about Jesus.

It seems that we look differently ...well, let me give an example. With our children, we often say we expect more out of them ...than perhaps children we are not our own.  This is not to say we are more judgmental, it's just that we know what we have told them, therefore we know what we expect from them after we have established how many acceptable times it is that we say something before we think there should be consequences.

Likewise, in a way, I guess, we expect more out of more educated societies than we would from ...with no disrespect, more or less uncivilized cultures or societies.

Yet, there seems to be a divide ...which in a way may be also a sort of bridge.  This is in reference to how we are educated.

I've heard many people comment how they think it's wrong for missionaries to go to other nations to intrude upon them with their ideas and perceptions upon how they should live.

I personally don't know of any missionaries who force people. Perhaps you may think a dangling carrot is the technique they use ...offering food and medical supplies to get the people to come.

Yet, isn't that sort of like what the internet has done??

People who are against missionaries, often do not believe in what the missionaries are saying.  Well, I often don't believe what the media or news is saying ...and I see slants and deceptions, yet I still watch the news, not to isolate myself from what is going on.

You may ask ...how does it help me, if I don't believe it??

Well, for one, it helps me understand those of you who do believe it.  And in understanding that, it helps me with how I approach our conversation.

 

Not to be critical ...yet, there are things that are helpful to be known.

And it does have something to do with education.

Again, that is not to say that one person is more educated than another.  And as I implied earlier, sometimes the less educated is not at a disadvantage.

Some times being less educated is a disadvantage.  I am usually at a disadvantage when it comes to cars.  If there's a problem, I have to rely on someone else, and I usually have to pay.  But, first I discuss it with someone whom I feel can give me good counsel on who best can help me fix it without making matters worst.

Yes, there are times I feel it is beneficial for all of us to know things.  In the area where I live, there is a siren that goes off if a tornado has been spotted ...and the warning sign alarms us, so we can take cover.  And I think that is a good thing.  If there was something wrong with the alarm system, and we felt we couldn't trust it ...well, it would make me feel a bit insecure, knowing that I would not be given a 'heads up' in case of a legitimate emergency.

If we were going to ask for a raise of hands to indicate all those who agree that there are no problems in our world ...would anyone raise their hand??  And if they did raise their hand, how credible would we view that person as??

I said with cars I have to rely on someone else, and I usually have to pay.  Yes, there is much I don't know. Yet, with others problems throughout the world, where I live, and with personal problems of my own ...I believe I can pray.  And yes, I rely on the Bible ...and believe that Jesus has taking care of the payment for me.  

There are warning signs too ...which make me feel more secure, as I feel I am no more exempt from that which is spoken about in the Bible as warnings ...than I would feel exempt from the effects of a tornado, if I was not warned, nor had taken precautionary measures.

Yet, I do feel secure, as I do believe in the Bible and what it says. But, that's me ...so, how do I feel about you??

Let's say the tornado siren did not work, yet I knew the person who was working to fix it.  I would not say, "Just call me on the phone if a tornado is spotted ---it doesn't matter about the others ---just tell me."

Of course, most of us know about tornadoes ...but what if there was a virus, and I was told how it was being spread.  In that case, I could share the information with others ...and there would be those who probably would not believe it, or as often is the case, that the chances are slim that they'd be affected, if they believe it at all.  But, if it were real, I believe there would be those who'd question my concern if I didn't share the information.

What I'm saying is, I do believe in the Bible ...and I am sharing the information.  So, you may not believe in what I'm saying, but how can I be called a 'hater' if I'm sharing out of concern what I believe??

Those who care the most, I believe will share ...not so concerned how others will treat them for sharing, but because they care to the extent of not thinking foremost how unpopular or labeled they may be. 

The first Chapter of the Book of Romans, says, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness; since what may be known about God is plain to them.  For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, so that men are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God, nor gave Him thanks, but their thinking became futile and their hearts darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became unwise ...therefore God gave them over to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and served the created things rather than the Creator ..."

II Thessalonians, Chapter 2, says, " ...and with all deceivableness in them that lose; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie ..."

There are viruses that are worse than others.  Some attack our bodies, with not saying, different strategies ...but, with different modes of attack.  This condition which I'm quoting from the Bible, seems to attack the mind.  And it comes from not believing in the truth about God.  It is evidenced by our believing in evolution, and holding to those claims as our authority, instead of looking to the Creation described in the Bible, and more specifically, our Creator.

And we think we are immune, or 'exempt from those things which are disagreeable or harmful'.  And the second verse, where I typed in the word 'lose', what is lost??

Well, during a flood, what is lost is that which is not saved. And in spite of a flood of opinion, the facts remain that after a disaster ...that which has not received, as in receiving rescue or saving, is lost.

II Peter, Chapter 3, says, " ...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

And reading the Gospel According to John, in Chapter 8, Jesus said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

One by one they left, because no person is without sin. And neither should we cast stones or hard accusations.  But, we should look at the truth ...and the truth is, she was not only aware of the near death situation, she also called Jesus, Lord.

Most people agree with no accusations.  Perhaps they hesitate to call Jesus, Lord ...but, even when they do, how many do as Peter describes God's heart??  We may like the 'that none should perish' part ...but, what about the 'that all should come to repentance' part?? 

Yes, that's the part that Jesus left her with as they departed company ...the lasting thought of " ...go, and sin no more".

Jesus did call that which is sin ...sin!!

And a call to repentance is by definition ...to change.  Not change our shoes, our diet, our address, or our name ...but where our shoes walk, our steady diet of consumption of the world, how we address others, and how we name sin.

It not so much whether we succeed as compared to others ...it's whether we stand in agreement with what God has said.  We all sin, yet we should never brazenly defend sin.  We should only defend a person right to try not to.  

We should give correct encouragement, not short-tempered condemnation.  Yet, we should not avoid telling the truth in fear how they will take it, or whether they will be offended.  I can't help if people get offended, it's just that I don't want to intentionally do it as my foremost goal.  The goal is the same for all of us ...to accept God's truth, and His intent to help us avoid condemnation.  But, as the Bible says, by brazenly refuting the truth ...there is little hope.  

And it follows the simple logic of a person going down the wrong path. Without changing directions, we will not reach the desired destination.  

As we get further away ...we either get more lost and disillusioned, or we become part of the delusion as we convince ourselves (or are convinced by others) that we are going in the right direction.  This is especially true if we see many people celebrating along the way. 

So, the main focus should be to tell people about Jesus, the source of the wonderful testimony described in the four Gospels.  So, the Bible is the only way I know to get written testimonies of accurate accounts of the life of Jesus on earth, and the joyous anticipation of His return.

And that's the beauty of what I see through present testimonies of missionaries who go to so called 'uncivilized' areas of the earth, where they joyously receive the truth of Jesus.  

That, sadly, is often missing in societies that consider themselves as civilized ...and a bit too wise in their own conceits (Proverbs 26:12).