The Great Escape

[I'll issue a little warning at the beginning of this entry: This is a line of thinking that I feel and haven't completely nailed down yet, logic-wise. I'm not even sure if it makes total sense. Perhaps just typing it out will help, I dunno. Anyway, here goes...]

So I work in a nerd profession with a nerd degree, thus it makes perfect sense that I work with many a geek and nerd. One commonality among the nerd populous is their love for sci-fi, fantasy and role-playing genres, whether that be movies, books, comics, short stories, games, etc.

I have listened as people explain their passion for these subjects and the ridiculous number of sub-categories contained within. I have one friend that can remember most any plot from The Twilight Zone, another who has memorized every character, alien and spacecraft in Star Wars and Star Trek, yet another who spends countless hours playing Dungeons and Dragons, and the list goes on and on. I listened to these zealots recount the countless technologies and societies described in these mediums, how those technologies affected those involved, the psychological, philosophical, economic, political and comical ramifications of each involved.

I have also seen countless hours spent by these friends keeping up with their nerd-dom hobbies. Three nights this week with the DnD group, spare time learning High Elvish, catching the latest on Cowboy Bebop, analyzing the ramifications giving Data a chip that gives him emotions, wondering if Asimov forgot anything in his AI laws, spending weeks on the Everquest and World of Warcraft servers...

I've always been fascinated by the kinds of conversation I can have with these fanboys and the kind of deep thinking that accompanies these alternate realities they spend so much time in. Do you have the idea that controlling all crime and weapons will cease societies ills? We have a movie that takes that to the nth-degree. Want to see what a completely technological future looks like? Here's a book... Want to see where wars will take us if we continue on? Here's Terminator. What if every human had everything they wanted... What would we spend our time on? There are short stories chronicling that ideal. What if we mixed medieval society with some of modern technology? Vice versa?

But to tell the truth, I always got kinda weirded out on most of this stuff... Sure, having an escape from time to time is okay; sports, games, family recreation, books, daydreaming, etc. But for many of these acquaintances, well, they took sci-fi and fantasy to a whole new level. If they weren't playing one, they were reading or watching the other. And again, I understand that addictions happen for people who like sports, romance novels, politics, playing the stock markets, the entertainment industry, gambling, etc.

Because many sci-fi topics encapsulate philosophy, psychology, society, economics, technology and science, which interest me, it was a lure to listen and participate somewhat. There was depth. But the more I look at the immersion that people get into any side activity, I keep getting the feeling that people are dying to remove themselves from their own life and the reality that is around them. It was more entertaining to think about the democratic process falling apart in Star Wars leading to a dictatorship Empire than watching it happen in our current world. It's better to dream about battling orcs than battling this world's problems. It's better to have a game persona that we add strength and magic points to rather than improving our social, financial and moral well-being. It's easier to discuss evil and totalitarianism personified in the Joker and the Borg than solving issues of gray areas such as Middle East terrorism and communism.

Yes, we all need respite from the difficulties of life and dive into our various escapes. But identifying just how much our escape has become our preferred existence is important to note... Using yet another comic/sci-fi example (as there are many, hence why it's an enjoyable outlet), Neo's day job was more of an illusion than his hacker nightlife that questioned "reality's" true identity. However, with any addiction, we find that these escapes simply become opiates that dull the senses and distract us from our true goals. Moral issues become blurred, black and white appear more grey, and the vanity that is mankind's philosophy gets us so confused that we can't debate our way out of a wet paper sack lest we break some nonsensical fallacy. Or perhaps we simply can't turn off the TV, shut down the game, close the book, or turn off our imaginations, even.

Again, I'm not really trying to say that this whole nerd genre is evil and everybody who participates in any form is inherently evil... But it stands to reason that we need to evaluate the level of involvement it has taken in our lives, just like with any other interest. I've heard it put that people escape to fantasy because it sure beats the doldrums of reality. But I've also seen time and time again that truth is stranger than fiction. God's philosophy is far superior to any futurist writer. Our spiritual battles with the demon kingdom make Sauron and his armies look like a joke. The descriptions of the Eternal's visage, throne, four living creatures and other spiritual beings simply send chills down my spine when I truly try to consider them beyond just the words.

Anyway, if you have anything to add or have any rebuttals, comments are welcome... Again, this is more a feeling I have than actual, reasoned-out thought. I'm sure I fall into the same category on many of the same escapes that affect us all, this is just one that I haven't been able to nail down what's bothered me about it for quite some time.

Courage

In Kansas City, we have a wonderful sports writer named Joe Posnanski, who recently wrote an article on courage being discussed by battle-tested soldiers in a class he was facilitating. Near the end of the article, he asks the class what they think real courage is, not the kind in sports, but the kind displayed on the battlefield when your life is on the line. Some of the points of the article were:

• “You’re going to be scared,” said another. “There’s no way around that. But you have to go through it so you can tell yourself: ‘OK, that fear wasn’t that bad; it wasn’t enough to paralyze me. I can perform my duties even feeling scared.’ ”
• They agreed that physical fitness is a big part of courage. “If you’re fat and out of shape, your courage cannot hold out on a battlefield,” one said. “It has nothing to do with how brave a person you may be. You can’t hold out, because you are fighting your own body in addition to fighting the enemy.”
• They also agreed that certainty galvanizes courage. The surer you are of what you are supposed to do, the more courageous you feel. “This is why we train so hard,” a soldier said. “We train until it becomes automatic. You don’t want to think in that moment on the battlefield. You want to react like you have been trained.”
• Finally, they said that courage comes from confidence, from an unshakable conviction that what you are doing will succeed.

Wow. You can take those comments of these battle-tested soldiers and apply them so easily to our current and coming spiritual battles. From these comments, I have learned:

1. That fear of trials is normal, but that I must learn how to accept it and continue onward.
2. That I must train; mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. If my mind or body gives out during the rough times ahead that we in the Church know well in advance are coming, then I haven't done my part. That's why Bible study, prayer, fasting and meditation are so important. But it's also important to physically go do what I know to do. True religion is doing. And training will enable all of us to react automatically in the right way when fear has taken hold of our mind and body.
3. "Certainty" of the task, or believing that what I'm doing is actually correct; proven from God's Word. You don't want to question your beliefs when you're standing in front of a king or ruler with your life on the line. Prove them now while discussing and teaching with others.
4. Confidence -- or faith in God that He will do as He promises. There will be a Kingdom set up and Jesus promises those who follow Him will receive an office in it. And we will be responsible for training the rest of the world in the same way. Do I believe it? Will I believe it if my life is hanging in the balance?

Even though we in God's Church don't participate in mankind's wars, we can learn some lessons from these soldiers. For even God stated to His people:

"Be strong and of a good courage. Do not fear nor be afraid... For Jehovah your God is He who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you." -- Deut. 31:6

Quote of the Day

"People don't change when they see the light. They change when they feel the heat."

A Diagnosis

Hi folks... I wonder if anyone still checks this page anymore after my inability to post anything for the last month or more. With parenting, I've discovered that I have a lot going on, but not much of it is of any interest to anybody except those going through the same things, or those who've already have gone through the same things and want to laugh at our pain. :)

Anyway, I finally got some news on my stomach ailments after buffeting back and forth between dozens of possibilities for months. It appears that I have a wonderful bacterium called Clostridium difficile. Feel free to peruse the Mayo Clinic's informational page if you have a strong stomach. (After reading it, you'll realize why I don't...) As of this moment, I don't know if I have the antibiotic-resistant variety, but I have no reason to believe that I do.

That said, with some strains of C. diff hitting the headlines lately as the new "super bug" along with MRSA and others, it's sure nice to know that I could be counted among the statistics. :) It just shows that mankind's ways still lead to death and I've contributed my fair share along the way. But sometimes, we're just in the path of previous generation's sins against God. In this particular case, it's a mixture of both. God tells us plainly about quarantine and washing up in His Laws, and even though Israel didn't know about Germ Theory way back then, God did. Our knowledge of it today sure hasn't made us any wiser about it (hence the ridiculous amount of antibiotics that I've been prescribed that possibly got me in this position in the first place). But if previous generations would have followed these laws, the problems we have with germs today wouldn't exist. If I had followed them, I would have had a higher chance of not getting one of them.

So to me, this all seems to point to the idea that no matter how much knowledge mankind has gathered that somehow "proves we don't need God anymore", we still very much do. I for one, am one silly child who stuck my hand in the fire and found out it burned rather than listening to my Father who already told me so... regardless of what actually makes the fire hot.

More Is Less?

My dear wife sent me an article from the NY Times about how southern Spain is rapidly drying up into a desert for several reasons. Obviously, the first reason cited is that temperatures have risen more there than the world average and they're not getting the rain they're used to. However, what's interesting is that because so many businesses and people are still flush with cash, that region is still booming in development, meaning new water-thirsty golf courses, casinos and other tourist attractions. People are building their homes next to the beautiful beaches, as would anyone in such an attractive area. They want their lawns and trees lush and green. Farmers are planting more water-hungry crops like lettuce, strawberries and corn rather than the standard olives, lemons and figs that the area is known for.

The appearance of a strong economy is actually soaking up the resources available to that area faster! The water manager for that area says he can only allow 30% of the government-allocated water to go to each of the properties, businesses and farms due to the shortage. That has caused corruption with people digging hundreds of illegal wells and setting up a black market for water. Government loopholes allow people to claim that planting several trees in their yard makes their property a "farm", thus increasing their water consumption. The regulators are accepting these claims in order to make an extra buck on the side. The area has already outgrown the available resources and yet the government is still allowing the area to be further developed. This cycle cannot last forever.

This same cycle is happening all over the world. In the U.S., areas like California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado are having or have had booming population growth that is unstustainable. In the last decade, we have been seeing the fruits of packing so many people in arid areas, which is much like how fruit would look in any arid area. The drying of the land has contributed to far more landslides and forest fires, which isn't helped by the fact that more people trying to get away from the city are moving the boundaries of that city to the hills and forests.

Due to the incredible growth of the last several centuries, mankind vainly figured it could engineer it's way out of these kinds of problems. Indeed, God blessed Abraham's, Isaac's and Jacob's children in a way that has made the rest of the world not only jealous, but envious to the point of copying our current land-leeching tactics or just outright taking our resources by bad financial policy and greed by our own country's government and businesses.

I recently heard about the so-called "water/diamond paradox" which is to say that diamonds are fairly useless overall, and yet they are priced extremely high, whereas water, which is useful in almost every way imaginable to sustain life, is priced ridiculously cheap. All in all, a booming economy may lead us to the illusion of prosperity where greed and lust eventually sucks the most precious resources out from under us because we continually take them for granted. The wonderful time-saving gadgets, fancy restaurants, huge homes and fast cars won't amount to much if we are completely starving and parched. "...But do not hurt the oil and the wine." God tells the black horseman to allow the most useless junk that we desire to be plentiful when our actual needs of basic food and water become completely scarce.

So keep an eye on the rivers, water tables and wheat production instead of the overall financial economy. Money, goods and prosperity are quickly becoming just a mirage on the desert that mankind has created for itself.

[UPDATE: I just read another article in the KC Star that says that irrigation artificially cools the air in that local area, so farmland hasn't felt the full effects of any warming trends that may be occuring elsewhere. However, many of the aquifers that help irrigation in places like Colorado, Kansas, California, even large parts of Asia, are drying up requiring more energy from fossil fuels to retrieve what's down there. That, in turn, continues to add CO2 to the air. So warming could be compounded by several degrees, on average, in rural areas as irrigation water begins to dry up.]

Gut Reaction

I've been dealing with chronic stomach problems for the last several months. I've been annointed for each issue and have prayed for God's healing. I truly do believe what James says in the 5th chapter of his letter about going to God's elders and trusting in Him to heal me. In fact, I saw someone else immediately relieved of some intense pain in my own home just last week after getting annointed. I've also done my due diligence on the web in research, visited several doctors about some of my shorter- and long-term problems. I'm trying to establish both a possible direction to take for a cure as well as determining what to pray for God to heal.

Sickness of any kind isn't fun. These particular problems are especially frustrating because it's really not all that painful, but nothing is quite right. And most of my symptoms could point to, or eventually cause bigger problems if not corrected. In fact, I still have no idea of the cause. All of this comes at a time when doctors are finding the latest in antibiotic-resistant strains of an old microbe commonly found in the stomach and intestines that causes many of the same problems as I have.

I state all of this for a couple of reasons... First, I don't have a problem with doctors and what they try to do. But obviously, they can't heal major organs, have difficulty with the bacterial world, don't fully understand how the brain and attitude affect health, and so on. They can't even diagnose many problems today. But when they can, doctors are helpful and can extend life beyond what may have been possible decades ago. Pharmeceuticals are both a blessing and a curse. They promise to cure you at the same time have some side effects and interactions with other medicines that can be worse than the original complaint. Case in point, it's possible that antibiotics and a medical procedure I had a few moons ago may have very well caused my current ailments.

Second, I trust God. I believe that I have the faith of Jesus Christ working with me, helping me to believe in the Father more and more every day. I've seen and heard of miracles and, as the Apostle John tells his audience over and over again in his gospel, he hopes that we believe more strongly as a result.

But then some doubts hit me... Questions and thoughts arise in my mind like, "Didn't Jesus heal to help people believe in His ministry, and as a result, His Father, to follow Him? Wasn't He doing it to establish His Church, or act as a witness against those who still wouldn't believe in spite of great works?" Or, "The pattern seems to go that God only heals those in dire situations or those needing more faith at a rough time in their lives." Or, "Mr. Armstrong had so many healings because God was raising up the Philadelphia era of the Church, yet tells us to 'hang on' in this age because we will have little strength (perhaps meaning miraculous power)." Or, "God, even though I totally know he can heal, hasn't healed several chronically ill people I know lately. Perhaps He's waiting for a time closer to the Tribulation or the Kingdom, itself."

But James 5:14-15 comes back and slaps me upside the head. Perhaps the early 20th-century Church was successful for other reasons. Perhaps people had more faith back in Jesus' and the apostles day. Then I have to think about what an annointing really is. It's total submission to God and His government. It's us, once again, surrendering our will in exchange for His. Even if God has chosen not to heal me or others at this time, it doesn't mean He's not fulfilling His purpose in us.

One of my biggest attributes is I'm a problem-solver, and I like to think and work quickly to get stuff figured out. The down side to this trait is I get impatient with a lack of results, but doggedly press on. With your stomach, however, as my wife continually reminds me, steadiness, diligence and patience are key. Whereas I'm changing my diet, moving onto some new theory as to what's broken, adding stress each week this goes on, realizing that stress isn't helping, slowly relaxing from that stress, wondering and pondering why diligence has to take so stinkin' long. Is waiting only going to allow some more terrible illness I have but don't know about continue to eat me up?

Finally, I realized that I really wasn't putting this whole problem fully in God's capable hands. Similar to detaching my entire abdomen, handing it to Him and saying, "Here, see what you can do with this." Of course, I really wish that I could do that, physically-speaking. What stinks is that some of us are really hands-on folks who have a can-do attitude about everything and that makes it difficult to allow God to tackle our problems for us. "Oh, don't worry about that, God, I'll handle it." Others trust that only doctors and physical medicines, potions, herbs, spas and chiropractors can fix them. Many tend to believe any competent-sounding person claiming to have a cure. Well, they very well could, but perhaps it's best to allow God to lead you to the right cure and sit tight while He does. Other times, in the case of especially difficult times that lie ahead when doctors won't know what to do, we will only be able to rely on God to save us.

But we read that God's yoke is easy and His burden is light. Right now, my burden is feeling heavier than I'd prefer it be. Recognizing I'm trying to do this all on my own is the first step, and trust me, I've pretty much ignored it for a long time. "Yes, I know we need faith." Okay, act on it. "Okay, I believe STRONGER." No, quit trying to do everything yourself. Surrender. Hand it over.

I truly believe that I could learn to apply this in every avenue of my life: relationships, character-building, finances, parenting... And as it turns out, in many areas where I have succeeded, that's what I've been doing. Don't worry about finding that job, God will provide. Don't even think about how you'll get out of this situation, God is 5,000 steps ahead of you, so you should wait for His answer. Search for the lesson in this trial, God's placed one in there for you somewhere. Place my whole being, and everything that comes with it, in God's hands.

My stomach's not better yet, but this has certainly put it more at ease.

Supply and Demand in a Scarcity Market

Okay, I need help from you economically-brilliant folks out there. I just read this article that Mr. Wheeler posted on Mr. Smith's blog talking about scarcity markets and their impact on prices. I'm having trouble understanding the markets for, well, pretty much everything right now. And my main purpose is to try and put my understanding of prophecy surrounding the Four Horsemen and the Olivet Prophecy in a better context, at least to what information we currently have. So the gist of my question is:

Why is demand so high for basic resources right now?

Is it because there's a shortage of actual raw materials (unprocessed oil, grain, rice, copper, etc)? And/or is it because there's a shortage of production even with an abundant supply of raw materials? And/or is it purely psychological due to a shift in the balance of power, the falling dollar and rising nations of China and India and their resource demands? Is it all real need or just fear that we might need more resources in the future? Are things priced higher because demand rose suddenly when producers weren't expecting it and they're struggling to keep up? I understand the issues surround oil reserves, recognizing that tar sands, deep earth drilling and other new reserves deemed unprofitable until lately due to the price spikes. But do food and materials have the same issues? (I know we've already discussed corn here previously, too...)

And if we're not short on reserves for these various raw materials, but just lacking production or delivery methods, will catching up lower the market prices back to "normal" quickly? Are producers dragging their heels even though there's plenty incentive to hire more, drill more, dig more, make more, etc. with the higher prices? Or is there just too much fear that rapidly increasing production will rapidly decrease demand, thus bankrupting producers?

More importantly, if there isn't a shortage of raw materials, will these unstable markets create a shortage? Will they create famine? Will they cause nation to rise up against nation to fight for available resources? Will deep earth drilling cause major earthquakes? (Okay, that one's just me being silly, so don't take me seriously...)

It all makes me wish I took macroeconomics in college... It seems obvious that we're heading down the path of prophecy of the Bible, but I'm interested in thinking about just how it might all flesh out while we're getting there. Any input or perspective would be appreciated.

Psychology of the Two Trees

I read this recent blog entry of an occasional writer for Newsweek, Wray Herbert, and thought his points are excellent. Basically, his point is that the human mind switches between thinking in two basic ways: 1) thinking in absolutes, black and white, the gist of the matter, and 2) analytically, or relativistically, carefully weighing both sides of an issue and then choosing.

Traditionally, children think in the #1 category. Young adults think more in the #2 category as they come out of their teens and begin questioning all the things they were taught as children, figuring out who they are and attempting to find their place in this world. As people age more and more, they begin thinking more and more in the #1 category again, and view the younger adults as more idealistic rather than realistic. For example, a child is told that getting drunk is bad for you, so they believe it and stay away. Young adults may reconsider this attitude if they happen to spend time around drinkers of alcohol and become sympathetic to excessive drinking, even doing it themselves. Having learned hard lessons in their younger days, more mature individuals may once again have proven that, indeed, getting drunk is bad.

The above blog entry goes on to say that teenagers show some interesting results in behavior associated with each type of thinking. Teens are at a fine balance between the two categories as their minds grow and absorb tons of new information, perspectives, advice, independence, etc. So when asked questions on the subject of the risks of sex to determine which category of thinking they fell into, those whose thought more analytically about the risks, carefully weighing both sides, tended to be the ones who took more risks with sex. Whereas the group that thought more globally about it, "sex has risk, so don't have sex", they were far less likely to begin.

I think what I find fascinating is that as children, we are told very simple instructions on how to behave. When we are older, we learn why those behaviors were good even though our younger minds were incapable of understanding the full reasons behind them. We even go on to teach many of the same lessons to our own children. It reminds me of where Jesus tells His disciples that they must become as little children in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Follow God's instructions without question and then learn why.

Adam and Eve were also given simple instructions. But when given an alternate viewpoint on the matter of the two trees by the serpent, Eve probably began thinking deeper about the two sides of the issue, weighing the risks involved, hence the, "...and when she saw it was good for food..." part. I think that's where most of mankind's troubles begin. When something as black and white as God's instructions is presented to man (I mean, He's THE source of all good, right?), does one do it or does that person begin rationalizing? Do we surrender to His will and reasoning, or begin adding our own while not remembering that God's intention is to help and save all of mankind?

When people think of the smartest in the world, they might think of deep thinkers like Albert Einstein or Socrates or Plato who turned the world upside down with their perspective-changing ideas. And yet, when God thinks of the greatest people in the world, He tells us it is those who tremble at His Word and humbly do as He says... Many times without question.

As somebody who enjoys pondering many of life's questions, usually beyond what would be considered reasonable, I fall into the trap of thinking that more thinking is better. Indeed, aligning with God's thinking is better, but we can only gain His mind by first obeying what He instructs us to do. Granted, don't kill curiosity... But rather, don't be curious in the first place in that which God clearly states, "This is the way, walk ye in it."

Farming Politics Prior To A Famine

This article just floored me. Basically, Congress is on the verge of passing a new farming bill. This occurs during a time when prices for crops are at an all-time high, and yet are extremely volatile. Farmers stand to make a bunch of money due to demand for corn-based ethanol, but are dumping other crops at a rapid pace to dive into this emerging market. Hence the volatility for other crops... No one knows what's going to happen this year on the markets, and just imagine if a major drought or other issues arise to decrease our supply.

But what really struck me just how Congress is replying to this increasing chaos in the farming markets: They're doing nothing. Nothing much, that is, and some congressmen are raging mad. Others, who come from states that give subsidies to farmers, don't have the support to take away the federal gifts appropriated to their constituents. Just look at this section:

"But even strong proponents of the bill, like Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat
of Iowa and chairman of the Agriculture Committee, concede that farm
interests are deeply entrenched and that there is little appetite for change
among many farm state lawmakers, especially when it comes to the direct
payment program.

The direct payments are based on the amount of land that certain farmers own, and Harkin, who has sought to eliminate the payments, said that many recipients of the money then use it to acquire more land and qualify for more payments.

"It's like the black hole in space that astronomers talk about, everything gets sucked in and nothing ever comes out," he said.

"This is the black hole of agriculture. It doesn't make sense, but farmers continue to get it." Harkin said there was not much he could do because, "I don't have the votes," adding, "People love free money."

Isn't that depressing? Leadership not willing to not only do what it takes to alleviate some of the stress caused by these markets on farmers (see this article for more on that subject) but on food prices, food availability, and whether or not this whole ethanol thing is really good for Americans in the first place! (On a side note, one place I read said that even though ethanol/gasoline mix (E85) is cheaper, $2.89/gal as opposed to $3.50/gal for unleaded, figuring in its inefficiencies on our engines (lower mpg) raises it's adjusted apples-to-apples comparison with gas to $3.65. And it may be worse for the environment.) So basically, people like free money and may not vote for you next time around, so don't fix anything and let the whole system tear itself apart. Nice.

Baseball: Read This... Quick!

Please hurry, for this article will only be funny for another couple of days or so! (The Royals are winning their division while Detroit, the odds-on favorite is 0-6. Of course, there are still like 156 games left to play...) I don't usually post on sports, but this is funny stuff...

Who Leads Europe?

Henry Kissinger once asked, "Who do I call if I want to reach Europe?" According to a Harris Interactive poll made for the International Herald Tribune, that answer is clearly becoming Germany. Click here to look at an image displaying what each country polled thought. It looks as though every country in Europe believes that Germany has a leading role while Americans believe Britain does.

Duuuuude!

As I read over the news each day, I constantly encounter a word or two that, when I read them, I first think that they give credibility to the article and read on... But then I'm reminded that both are words that really means nothing. Those words are 'officials' and 'official'.

I talk to my wife, who is a journalism major, about this every once in a while. Since I wasn't regularly reading newspapers before, oh, let's say, 1988 (more like 2001), I have no idea how long this practice has been going on. But I would guess that the practice of using these words grew significantly after the Watergate scandal. For us young pups who weren't alive back then, some "official" called a reporter back then and leaked the whole story to the press about President Nixon having his people stealing some Democrat paperwork from the Watergate hotel in D.C. That "official" had a name of "Deep Throat". Of course, that reporter never told anyone who his source was, but fortunately, a slurry of evidence came forth proving that the President did indeed order the raid.

Again, this is my guessing here, but journalists everywhere probably saw this confidante witness technique used successfully and cheered, "Now I can publish anything anyone says as long as I don't say exactly who said it! What would be a good word to use here..." And the word officially became 'official'. Its definition is, roughly, someone somewhere who probably knows what they're talking about, but we won't bore you with the details of their actual name.

And call me picky, but this is probably where the downfall of modern journalism really picked up speed. I mean, really... What do you and I normally call someone who tells us some unsavory secret about somebody or something without telling us first who exactly said it first? That's right, a gossip. And isn't that what's going on in sentences like this: "Many Pentagon officials say that the War in Iraq is failing." Or "An official from the company stated that the executive was indeed having an affair." And it sounds official, doesn't it? Of course it does, that's what the word means! Some even say "senior official" to make it more legitimate.

Just for the fun of it, sometimes I like replace 'officials' with 'some dudes' and see how legitimate it sounds then. "According to some dudes down at the Justice Department, the case represents only a small facet of an intelligence-gathering operation... blah blah blah" Pssssh! Says who??

Granted, it isn't bad everywhere it's used, but there are some news stories that don't have as much as a single source outside of 'some dude' who told the reporter their thoughts and the reporter turns around and spews it to us like it was fact. How much 'news' is really gossip and opinion in a thinly-veiled disguise that appears on the surface to be vigorous fact-finding and research? Find out at 10!

The Cold Reality of Fear

Some recent experiences have caused me to think some about the times leading up to Christ's return and our preparation now. In one experience, I was driving on relatively safe winter roads when I encountered some dangerous, ice-covered bridges; seven or so in a row. After realizing that the first bridge wasn't safe, I continued to slow down over each successive bridge and came to realize that I had no control over my car on any of them. The whole time there were cars and trucks strewn all over the shoulders of the road or wrecked on the bridge railings. By the last 2-3 bridges, I had built up a lot of fear and was no longer thinking, but merely reacting. I was in another situation involving road rage only two weeks later and had similar results. There was no time to think, only react and do everything that my experience told me to do in that situation, right or wrong.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch it or not, but Tom Cruise's movie War of the Worlds sent chills up my spine when I saw masses of people running for their lives and doing anything it took to escape the invading alien forces. People murdering each other just to steal a minivan, children and adults alike only able to scream and run or stand and stare in horror. There was no trace of rational thought and no one was really able to flee the powerful army. It struck me that this could be a representative picture of the coming tribulation and Day of the Lord that will soon be upon the whole world.

When we have control over our minds, humans are capable of so much. We can dream, plan, grow and build. We can act and behave any way we want. We can even convince ourselves to overcome just as we can act convincingly that we are someone we may not be. However, when we lose control over our minds from fear or sudden change of situation, we are reduced to our basest thoughts and actions.

I believe this is one major reason why it's so important to study God's Word, to meditate on it day and night, and why we must regularly put it into action. On those icy roads, had I been a 16-year old from a warmer state, it's quite possible I would have ended up with a busted front bumper or in the median. But years of experience driving on icy roads (as well as God watching my back) taught me not to overcorrect my steering, to not quickly brake or accelerate, etc. Those were my "instincts", so to speak.

Similarly, what kind of faith, knowledge, wisdom, character and habits we form today may very well be ultimately tested in the biggest trials to come to mankind. Make no mistake, we will have some part in tests and trials leading up to the Great Tribulation. The first 4-5 Seals of Revelation will most likely be opened during our lifetimes where we live, much in the same way that the Israelites were allowed to experience the first several plagues on Egypt. And at the same time of greater stress on this world, there will be powerful signs from false ministers. Matt. 24:24 - "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders; so much so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect."

One way that the elect will be deceived is by not being prepared mentally or spiritually for such a situation. How could we possibly prepare for what's described as the worst time in human history in which there can be no precedent? Well, put simply, God tells us to surrender our will to Him, do as He instructs and grow in grace, knowledge and character. We must do this until it is firmly ingrained in our brains and habitual. Then and only then will He see us through it.

Ask yourself: What words come out of my mouth when I hit my thumb with a hammer or stub my toe? What transpires in my mind when someone really ticks me off? What do I say or think about others when they're not around? How about my boss or minister? Do I secretly or publicly sin and can't stop? What makes me think that I will somehow magically change when fear takes over? Quite frankly, if we can barely hide these things under normal conditions when mustering all our self-control, we will most definitely revert to our true nature when this world is falling apart around us.

(As a side note, this is why I've been harping so much about government lately. Many believe that they can ridicule or ignore God's ministry and human leaders and yet still fully submit to Christ when He returns. This is false reasoning simply because Christ is using mankind's governments today to test our willingness to grow in submission and servant leadership. "Why do you say 'Lord, Lord' and do not the things which I say?" This is similar to watching how your date treats your waiter in order to determine how she treats people in general, including you. Following the same premise of habit-forming, it is wise to practice the same form of government in the Church that Christ will set up in God's Kingdom rather than being led by our own will or electing others, essentially giving them our own permission, to lead us.)

I approach things from this angle only to show that it will be extremely difficult to enter God's Kingdom. As Mr. Reynolds once said in a sermon, "Gaining entrance into the Kingdom of God is not as easy as falling off a log." Understated, but well put. Similarly, only in-depth Bible study, fervent prayer, regular fasting and deep meditation on God's ways, will and Law, followed by real action, will train our brain to react correctly when under great duress, as well as normal, everyday situations. Not doing these things... well, we probably won't be as wise and brave as we'd like to think. To know where you currently stand, analyze how well you handled your last real trial, not just what you learned from it.

For an example of how meditation can permanently change how we do things, note what religious and medical folks are learning about the brain. An interesting article in Newsweek discusses the Dalai Lama's "interest in neuroscience. A few years ago the Dalai Lama was visiting an American medical school and watched a brain operation. Afterwards, he chatted with the surgeon, telling him how his scientist friends had patiently explained to him that all of our thoughts, feelings, memories, dreams and other mental activities are the products of electrical and chemical activity in the brain. But he had always wondered something, the Dalai Lama told the surgeon. If electricity and chemistry can produce thoughts and all the rest, can thoughts act back on the physical stuff of the brain to change its chemical, electrical and other physical properties?"

Back then, the surgeon said no. "The brain produces and shapes mental activity, the brain surgeon said; mental activity does not alter the brain." However, today, scientists think otherwise. Repeated experience, thought and meditation about a particular activity causes the brain to persist in that activity even when not actively meditating or thinking about it. For example, thousands of hours of meditation for having compassion on the entire world leads Tibetan monks to "an enduring change in the brain which persist even when the brain is not meditating: it looks as if thousands of hours of meditation ramps up activity in the brain's empathy region, and keeps it ramped up even when you are not engaged in meditation." In other words, it's always primed and ready for empathy and compassion. It's one of their brain's first reaction to any stimuli.

Similarly, if we regularly study, meditate and act on God's Word, our brain will be ramped up and trained to react to every situation with righteous character rather than our selfish, sinful way. Consider it strength training, for it really is. Our mind will learn to filter out the trash that this world produces and see it for what it truly is. If we mimmick King David's meditations in Psalm 119, we may one day also be a "man after God's own heart". All tests and trials in our lives both help us to see problems with our current path as well as gauge how well we're letting Christ live in us. Would I react to my sins like King David did in Psalm 51? Sometimes these trials can catch us completely off guard and we get a glimpse into how we might react to an awful crisis of the worst kind, the kind coming soon.

Habitually practicing and learning God's way will create godliness, virtue, righteous character and faith that will see us through future trials. I take these two scriptures very seriously: Rev. 6:17: "For the great day of His wrath has come, who shall be able to stand?" and Luke 18:7-8: "And shall not God avenge His own elect who cry day and night to Him, though He has been long-suffering over them? I say to you that He will avenge them speedily. Yet when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" There's a lot of hesitation in those two passages. If we aren't trying to overcome day and night, we may very well stumble in the time leading up to the Day of Wrath if we revert to our carnal nature, at least to the amount we still have.

I learned through my recent experiences that fear and trembling can truly expose my true character and heart. Obviously, the same can be said through the humble and respectful awe we have towards our God when we fear and tremble at His Word.

King David Lineage Strikes Again?

Well, if that old WWCG theory about how English kings and US presidents are direct descendants of King David is true, I have potentially bad news for you. According to an Associated Press article, Barack Obama has quite a number of US Presidents in his lineage, more so than Hillary Clinton or John McCain. This could mean nothing, but who knows?

Obama has a prolific presidential lineage that features Democrats and
Republicans. His distant cousins include President George W. Bush and his
father, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry S. Truman and James Madison. Other Obama cousins include Vice President Dick Cheney, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Civil War General Robert E. Lee.

Possible Prophecy Potential

I've heard about the Pope calling for inter-faith conferences before to discuss problems in the Middle East, but similar calls are now coming from Saudi Arabia! Seeing as how hard-line Saudi Arabia is on Islamic issues and that they're one of many nations still not diplomatic with Israel, this could be a huge development. It may one day bring a short-term peace to Jerusalem which could allow the Jews to begin sacrificing again. Keep watching...

Since It's an Election Year...

...Here's an old article by Dr. Hoeh about attitude towards government, especially concerning those in leadership roles. It's a bit long, but I feel it's air-tight in respect to how we view our newly-elected officials, or even dictators in other nations. Enjoy!


The Plain Truth - January, 1964

The Christian Attitude --
RESPECT Government Authority

How should you treat officials with whom you disagree? What are
your obligations, as a Christian, to the government under which
you live?

by Herman L. Hoeh


WHAT is your duty toward the government under which you live? Should you resist Supreme Court injunctions? What about "peaceful demonstrations" and "sit-ins"? Do you owe respect to officials with whom you may disagree? Should you pay taxes to political office-holders even when they abuse their high offices? Are officials responsible "to the people," or to God? Which?

What Does Scripture Say?

This generation has grown up in an atmosphere of utter disrespect toward authority. You see it everywhere -- both in the home and in public life. It's high time to realize there is a JUDGMENT coming. It does make a difference how you act toward those in authority. YOUR BIBLE explains the relationship of Christians to human governments. But how many of YOU know what it says?
Notice Romans 13:1-7: "LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT unto the higher powers. For there is NO power but of God: the powers that be ARE ORDAINED OF GOD. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: AND THEY THAT RESIST SHALL RECEIVE TO THEMSELVES DAMNATION! This is not just Paul speaking. It is Jesus' directive to Christians for all time, for every generation. Notice it! "They that resist" -- those who refuse to submit to authority -- "shall receive to themselves damnation." That's not just the penalty for assassination or for murdering a policeman who is protecting the peace. That's the penalty for ANY who RESIST constituted authority. That's the awful judgment God renders on those who incite civil strife, or who create incidents by so-called "peaceful demonstrations" or "sit-ins" or bombings of churches and schools.

Continuing: "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. WHEREFORE YE MUST NEEDS BE SUBJECT, not only for wrath, but
also for conscience sake. For this cause PAY YE TRIBUTE ALSO: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. RENDER THEREFORE TO ALL THEIR DUES: TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE IS DUE; CUSTOM TO WHOM CUSTOM; FEAR TO WHOM FEAR; HONOR TO WHOM HONOR.
Instead of preaching this truth from the Bible, most ministers preach their own words about "getting out the vote," or "supporting a Christian candidate." "It is your duty," they say.
This is not what Jesus or the apostles taught. The REAL Christian duty is NOT to mix with political affairs of this world, but to be subject to authorities -- to show RESPECT for
those in public office. You are to be SEPARATE FROM the world, although living decently and respectfully in it (John 17:15, 16). The time to CHANGE this world is at the coming of Christ. And it will take Christ to do it.

Does Government Authority Come from the People?

Government authority and power are ORDAINED OF GOD. They are not derived "from the consent of the governed" -- the people. Your Bible says so! "There is NO authority but of God." "The authorities that exist are ordained of God." Human beings seem to reason that because men may be elected or appointed or may seize power, that their only authority proceeds from the people that supported them. And the people like to have it so because it puts the people IN THE PLACE OF GOD! This is an age when men don't want to acknowledge the God
who rules in earthly affairs. The clergy is failing to preach the truth. Almost everyone is as ignorant of this power as was Pontius Pilate. Jesus had to tell Pilate that the authority
vested in him came from the Almighty. Notice that Pilate reasoned just like people today: "Then
saith Pilate unto him, Speaketh thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I HAVE POWER to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?" Jesus answered, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, EXCEPT IT WERE GIVEN THEE FROM ABOVE" (John 19:10-11). Since all authority is ordained of, or allowed by, God, we are to be SUBJECT to human governments. In respecting that authority, we are showing respect to God. Anyone WHO RESISTS THE
AUTHORITY OF HUMAN GOVERNMENTS IS ACTUALLY REBELLING AGAINST GOD WHO ORDAINS THAT AUTHORITY. This applies not only to CIVIL authorities, but equally as well to any person in a position of authority, whether a school teacher or a foreman in a factory.

Thinking Up an Excuse

It is only human nature for people to think of an excuse to rebel against God. It doesn't matter how evil men in office may be. It is GOD who will judge them! God ordained rulers to punish evil works and protect the obedient. Even though officials may be elected or appointed by the people, THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE ONLY TO GOD WHO PERMITS THEM TO EXERCISE AUTHORITY. Persons in responsible positions may fail to properly fulfill the responsibilities of their offices -- to punish wrong deeds and preserve order. They may even in some cases corrupt the government. But as long as God permits them to be in authority and to remain in office, you are commanded to REMAIN in subjection to the divinely ordained authority which they hold.
You pay respect to God when you respect men who hold office by God's permission and authority. Since it is God who sets men in office, it is HIS responsibility to remove them. One who does violence to public office -- or one who approves such an act -- is trying to steal God's authority as supreme ruler. It is so hard for human beings to conceive this principle because nearly everyone has been deceived from childhood into believing God has nothing whatsoever to do with the civil governments of this world. Perhaps you were never told that THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE AUTHORITY OVER HUMAN BEINGS IS SOLELY THE PREROGATIVE OF THE DIVINE CREATOR. Human beings do not inherently have the right or the ability to rule properly over fellow human beings. But God is a God of order, not confusion. Since men won't
submit to His own government and laws, He has given permission IN THIS AGE, before the return of Jesus Christ, that men may exercise authority in all phases of life.

Example of Saul and David

Human beings in authority sometimes serve themselves and the devil, but the OFFICE is ORDAINED OF GOD! You honor the person BECAUSE OF THE OFFICE which he holds, even when his deeds may be evil. Consider the case of Saul and David. King Saul obtained his
position from God, as do all rulers. Saul was disobedient to the Eternal and David knew it. Did David therefore rebel and seek to organize the people to remove him from office?
No, he did not -- not even after God had chosen and anointed him to replace Saul as king. Instead, David said this: "The Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall
descend into battle and perish. The Eternal forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Eternal's anointed" (I Sam. 26:9-11).

Notice that David recognized the fact that it is GOD'S RIGHT to put persons out of office. It could not be the people's right since the people have never been given the right in God's sight
to put such men INTO office in the first place. David respected and honored and submitted to the office which Saul exercised. He left it in GOD'S hands to remove him from office AT THE APPOINTED TIME! Christians must do the same.

Nebuchadnezzar had to learn this truth, and it took him seven grueling years. He finally admitted after gaining his sanity that "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the BASEST OF MEN (Daniel 4:17; 2:21).
Even if God decides to place in office the least capable and the basest men -- because of the sins of the people -- who are we to condemn the wise judgment of God? AND STRANGE AS IT MAY BE, SOMETIMES THE PEOPLE, IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO MAKE THEMSELVES WISER
THAN GOD, ELECT THE LEAST CAPABLE MAN, WHICH IS ACCORDING TO THE PLANNED FOREKNOWLEDGE OF THE ETERNAL GOD. God never approves corruption or abuses by office-holders. But it is God, not you, who will judge them. Your obligation is
to respect THE AUTHORITY OF THE OFFICE.

Is Submission Always Obedience?

There are certain powerful churches, particularly in Europe, but also in America, which teach that human government is not only of divine origin, but that respect for authority and
submission to officialdom means TOTAL OBEDIENCE TO LEADERS and even dictators.
This teaching is absolutely FALSE! Jesus' words in Matthew 23:2-4 are quoted to support this
terrible error. In speaking to the multitude and the disciples, Jesus said: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: ALL therefore WHATSOEVER they bid you observe, that observe and do ..." It is at this point that these denominations stop quoting the words of Jesus to give the impression that you must obey everything that a person in authority commands. But what did Jesus continue to say? "But do NOT ye after their works: for they say, and do not." There it is. Those Jewish religious leaders taught part of the truth, but they themselves were not obeying the truth. Therefore Jesus had to instruct the people that the RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY of the scribes and Pharisees must be respected. They were to observe whatever truth was preached, but they were NOT TO FOLLOW THE ERROR.

In Acts 4:19 you are given the true Bible definition of "submission." The disciples had just been commanded to DISOBEY God. What did they say to the authorities? That OBEDIENCE to God
is more important than obedience to men. Notice, however, that the apostles did not resist them. They SUBMITTED to the PENALTY imposed by their accusers (Acts 5:40).

Thus you have the true relationship that should exist between every Christian and the human government under which he lives. You are to honor and respect authority and SUBMIT TO EVERY ORDINANCE OF MAN. ONLY when obedience to human rules and regulations would violate the laws of God should you steadfastly decline to obey. But even then YOU MUST RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT TO THE PENALTY. So said the apostle Peter.

What Peter Commanded

The apostle Peter recognized the importance of Christians' relationships to human government. He had the courage to preach the truth. Here is what he said: "SUBMIT YOURSELVES TO EVERY ORDINANCE OF MAN FOR THE LORD'S SAKE: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. FOR SO IS THE WILL OF GOD ... Honor all men. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king" (I Pet. 2:13-17). Take careful note of his wording. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance." Peter did NOT say, "OBEY every ordinance." Of
course not, He knew that many human regulations are wrong. God expects all Christians to obey human regulation whenever and wherever possible, and always submit to the penalty in case
obedience to human law would be sin. We should never rebel or use violence even if we know human governments are making wrong decisions.

Christians are to be examples of submission to government regulations, no matter how childish or absurd some stipulations may be. "Be subject to principalities and powers ... to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of NO man" (Titus 3:1, 2).

Is It Wrong Even to Speak Evil of Officials?

It is a common practice for people to resist government regulations and to accuse office-holders, whether the President or the corner policeman. This supposed "right" of the people is
abominably misused. There is a righteous limit to the "freedom" of speech. The Bible sets that limit by commanding you to refrain from speaking evil of dignitaries. Solomon said you are not to curse officials even in your thoughts (Ecc. 10:20).

It is reproachful to Christ as well as a dishonor to His authority for Christians to hurl or to repeat NEEDLESS ACCUSATIONS against rulers. This, of course, does not mean that you can't say anything about a man's mistakes. Rather it means that no gossip or misrepresentation of facts which damage a person's character or prestige is to be repeated.

Christians should not fight the government in its own courts as certain deceived religious sects sometimes do. Rather submit, and patiently pray for God to change the circumstances according
to His will. Most Christians ought to pray more earnestly that their minds and hearts would be free from slanderous thoughts, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE PERSON SEEMS TO DESERVE THEM. The righteous Michael the archangel even refused to accuse Satan. He calmly said, "The Lord rebuke thee." Only the UNGODLY dig up evil to throw needlessly at their enemies (Prov. 16:27).

There is also another important point which has often been overlooked. In Romans 13:4, you read that Christians are to "be afraid" of government power, if they have committed evil. Yet
Jesus taught us not to fear man, but rather fear God (Luke 12:5). How can you reconcile these verses? By the fact that Christians are NOT actually to be afraid of the men in office, but rather "OF THE POWER" which they wield by God's permission. You fear their authority because they are the servants or revengers of God to curb crime. In reality, then, you are only fearing the power of God who gave this authority to rulers. When you do good, you "may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will NOT fear what MAN shall do unto me"' (Hebrews 13:6).

Is the Payment of Taxes Necessary?

Now comes an often-misunderstood part of this vital message. Should you pay taxes if you are a Christian? If so, why? Paul said that Christians MUST PAY TAXES, CUSTOM DUTIES AND
TRIBUTE to those in authority. Why? "For they are God's ministers," His servants, "attending continually upon this very thing." It is their job, their work to regulate society and to punish crime. Government costs money. Officials are worthy of their hire. Because of covetousness, especially when income tax or land tax bills appear, some seize upon the words of Jesus in Matthew 17:24-27 as an excuse for failure to pay taxes. Notice what Jesus really said: Christians, being free and heirs of the Kingdom of God, should not be required to pay tribute to a FOREIGN government, "notwithstanding, lest we should offend them ... give unto them" the tax. Yes, Christ commands you, just as Paul did, to pay taxes. And you should not pay them grudgingly, either. It is the right of leaders to receive remuneration for their duty. But what if
officials are not performing their duty properly or are squandering tax money for private ambition? Are you still to pay taxes? Certainly. You are not the one to judge whether he is worthy of his hire. As long as any person is in office, you are to honor that office by submitting to it. It is so easy to forget that human beings are not the judges of one another -- that God is the
Judge. Officials are not responsible to the people but to God. Your responsibility ceases once you have honestly paid the tax or the duty. It is the official's responsibility to see that he properly administers the money.

Although this is the day of exorbitantly high government costs and subsequent high taxation, you should never fear that God may fail to provide the amount necessary to conform to state,
Federal or local laws. Jesus provided Peter with the extra tribute money beyond the normal increase (Matt. 17:24-27).

Prayer for Officials

In the days of the Roman Empire, when Jesus was training his disciples, it was the custom of the government to COMPEL PEOPLE TO CARRY MAIL and goods belonging to the Empire. Jesus referred to this forced practice when he said, "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" (Matthew 5:41). Notice that Jesus taught submission, not resistance.

Today the government does not compel its citizens to bear this responsibility. How thankful are you for this fact? It is so easy to forget the benefits of an ordered society -- the postal service, and the various agencies of protection, to name a few. So easy to neglect Paul's admonition that supplications, prayers, intercessions, AND GIVING OF THANKS, be made for all men: for kings, and FOR ALL THAT ARE IN AUTHORITY; that we may lead a life in godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour (I Timothy 2:1-3).

God has established earthly governments TO KEEP ORDER until His Kingdom comes. It is your commanded duty to submit to their authority patiently, excusing the obvious faults inherent in
human leadership. No HUMAN government can be perfect. It may even be required of you by God to suffer unjustly when you have to obey God rather than man. But you must submit to that penalty. All human history is a record of the tragedy of human governments which God is about to replace by sending Jesus Christ to establish the Kingdom of God and bring us peace and security. Let's pray for that day!

Another Shocker

'Tis better to give than to receive?? Surely not! "New research reveals that when individuals dole out money for gifts for friends or charitable donations, they get a boost in happiness while those who spend on themselves get no such cheery lift." I wonder if giving does even more than tingle the happiness nerves? Perhaps more research needs to be done...

Niiiiiice

Nice guys DO finish first!! W00t! Maybe this "God" character knows what He's talking about after all!! (My philosophy professor once argued with me about how the Christian faith was "impractical"... "Turn the other cheek? Okay, how many times? You'll be miserable and lose everything you have if you let people continue to punish and take from you!")

Pet Doctrine Obedience School

One thing that almost every person in the Church of God has in common is the fact that we all have certain pet doctrines. I have two: one is a pomeranian and the other is a ferret, figuratively speaking. They may appear all cute and cuddly, but don't get too close... They bite.

Seriously, I've heard all kinds of pet doctrines over the years. Some are just personal beliefs that are more theory than theology. Others cause complete disruption in the Church. And of course, there are all colors, shapes and sizes in between. They're breeded and custom fit for your way of thinking and your personal experiences. Need some examples?

• The atmosphere was a fine mist around the earth that blocked harmful UV rays that allowed man to live 900+ years. It caused the Flood. Or...
• Mankind had much of the same technology we do today at the Tower of Babel, and that's why God gave them over to different languages, so we wouldn't genetically engineer ourselves into super beings. Or...
• Conspiracies are real! Or...
• The correct understanding on the calendar is... [insert pet doctrine here]. Or...
• Views on new moons, make up, eating out on the Sabbath, reading other church's material, how to keep the Sabbath, how to count Pentecost, what the gospel is, what the Work of God is, what kind of government is best today, who's the end-time Elijah, when is Christ returning, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera (there's that Latin in italics again).

Did I hit one of yours? Some pet doctrines are completely provable. Some are disprovable. Some are interesting thoeries. Some are nice thoughts and good suggestions. Some are working toward the right direction, but are part of a larger spiritual understanding yet to be discovered.

This post is not written because of, or for, any one individual out there (you're so vain... :-D). It affects most everyone in God's Church, including several of my friends and family, as well as myself. Pet doctrines have been at the center of sharp divisions since the apostle's time; since humans have lived, really. People attending the same group can have wildly differing views on subjects thought to be well understood. Others know they don't agree with their group's doctrines on a subject, but they "go along" knowing that one day "they'll see it God's way [MY way]." So what can we do about these pet doctrines?


Identify Pet Doctrines

I think, first, we must identify which of our beliefs are pet doctrines. Do we believe the same as CLEAR and PROVABLE teachings of the Bible, the Church, our minister or our fellow members? Regular Bible study and fellowship about godly principles will help you see where you're in agreement with God's Church. If you find yourself not agreeing with a church doctrine, or part of the sermon, talk with your minister about it. Make sure it isn't just a misunderstanding on your part. If you are still in disagreement, then dig deeper, seek more counsel and pray for understanding and a teachable spirit.

The Church of God is to live a separate way of life than the world (in the world, not of the world). However, the feeing of joy/pain associated with separating from the world for a righteous calling and purpose can lead some to feel that any separation from a majority position to one of the minority justifies that their own thinking is more righteous than others around. This can become a vicious cycle leading to stay-at-home churches. "My wife and I are still in agreement, but I'm starting to wonder about her, too." Granted, just because a majority believes something doesn't make it true, as is the case with the world. However, "in the multitude of [wise, righteous] counselors [led by the Holy Spirit, shown by their obvious fruits,] there is safety." Loners are rarely right, either, nor is being alone healthy for growing in grace and knowledge. Even finding others who agree with your pet doctrine isn't a guarantee, for "if the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the ditch."

Are your ideas firmly attached to the "trunk of the tree", or are they limbs and leaves? Are they vital for salvation, or are they just interesting side points? Will people enter into God's Kingdom without your understanding on a doctrine? Do they regularly cause problems with the ministry or other members?


Put It To The Test

Another vital step is to test our pet doctrines. It's really not a bad idea throughout your lifetime to subject every one of your beliefs to an intense proof study from time to time. After all, if they're correct, what do you have to lose? Pride? We should all be getting rid of that nasty characteristic.

For fact-based beliefs, it doesn't hurt to bounce ideas off of experienced members who know their Bibles well. Also, get the history and context behind the verses you're using. Prove it from multiple sources. Don't use the most obscure Greek word that happens to fit your idea. If possible, ask a Greek or Hebrew scholar who doesn't have a religious agenda to interpret. Be willing to say, it may not be totally provable until Christ explains it to us. II Tim. 2:14-16 - "Put them in memory of these things, charging them before the Lord not to dispute about words to no profit, to the subverting of the hearers. Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness." Do your babblings, er, I mean, ideas increase ungodliness, that is, Satanic confusion?

For faith-based beliefs, use this simple scripture: "Test (or prove) all things. Hold fast to that which is good." Get rid of what isn't helpful or good. In other words, DO it. Test your belief by acting on it. Don't just keep vocalizing it ad nauseam. I John 3:18 - "My children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." And I John 2:3 - "And hereby we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments." Don't shrug off God's people who don't agree with you by labeling them as "weak", ala I Cor. 8. Rather, suffer them, as the rest of the scripture says. Live and let live. If your tested belief works well repeatedly, then let your example show it. Let the fruits of such faith shine through. It may take months or years for others to notice, but it's far better proof if someone sees your example and grasps it because they've "experienced" it. But be honest with yourself if it doesn't produce the fruit of righteousness. v19-20: "And in this we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him, that if our heart accuses us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things." God will show us if we are wrong, too, if we are listening carefully and praying for His will to be done. Humility is vital -- are you proving YOUR point or God's?


How Does Your Attitude Affect Others?

One must analyze whether their pet doctrine is a confident labrador, a quivering chihuahua or a growling, biting rottweiler. Has your belief on a subject caused fierce division even among those who taught you? Are you afraid to share your idea with others in fear of ridicule? We should always seek the truth, regardless of how it makes us look. God's Word always leads to a better life, right? "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." I John 2:3 stated above says to "know that you know" God's ways. Be confident in your beliefs, but they should also edify and encourage others.

God's ways ultimately cause unity, not division. Even if your pet doctrine is God's doctrine, God surely doesn't want you misrepresenting Him by acting like a pompous jerk in presenting it. Phil. 1:15-16 - "Some indeed even preach Christ because of envy and strife, and some also of good will. Those, indeed, preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely..." Even though Paul rejoices that the gospel is being preached, I'm sure he would have rather not had to defend it because of those individuals' attitudes, as he states, "...supposing to add affliction to my bonds." Paul was imprisoned for his teachings, yet did not strive with his captors. There is a difference. Being disfellowshipped is not righteous suffering. More than likely, someone who was cast out of the Church was striving and causing division rather than "the leaders not admitting that a lay-member was right."

Remember, it took decades before Mr. Armstrong changed his position on counting Pentecost. But he did recognize his error. Are you willing to wait? As long as gross sin or apostacy is not being committed, is it really worth leaving over? Is the present course going to cost the Church its salvation, or are you just personally hurt by being slighted for the moment? Did a minister or authority figure step on your toes?

Rather, discussing your beliefs with loving, gentle patience will help your point be made. Every adult and child would rather feel that they are being taught for their own well-being rather than their correction, even though they may be one in the same. However, when it is felt that someone is merely being contentious and vain, it becomes easy to tune out. (The Author recognizes that he has been tuned out many times before, too. He is trying to be less preachy... Honest!) Rebuke may be necessary at times, but ask yourself, "Am I the one that really should be doing the chastizing? Is this individual even ready to hear this right now? Will they accept it in their current level of understanding?" Again, does the presentation of our ideas cause strife with others? Is our attitude divisive?

And always remember, it's okay to agree to disagree with people. Some people just won't see it your way for now. There may be a difference in personal interpretation or life experiences. It's better to still have a open, loving relationship with your brethren rather than being seen as one always stirring up trouble or never letting something die. Are you going to have more success as a saint being right or being patient and allowing people to see the Truth in time? Again, if no one sees it your way, take another step back and re-evaluate. Ask for help doing so. Being humble and honest with yourself is hard when you're right all the time, I know. :)


Partial Truth

As most of us already know, God's word is layered with a lot of depth, which is why we are instructed to continue to study it regularly. We do this to remember basic doctrines and to keep our understanding in perspective, but we also study to apply our most recent life experiences to God's word. I have found that my perspective as a teenager was different than when I became employed, or when I became married, or now that I have a son. Surely those who have experienced 50+ years in the Church will have much more understanding than that.

Someone who is new to a subject may have only uncovered a little of the complete picture of the rich spiritual meaning contained therein. Here is a silly example of this: One may say, "We should study our Bible on the Sabbath." Yes, but we can also fellowship, too. "NO! We must STUDY! You're doing your own pleasure!" Hopefully no one has encountered this particular argument, but similar, narrow-minded viewpoints have been made on a variety of subjects. An individual is not narrow-minded because they are simply unaware of subject matter, but if they are unwilling to hear and contemplate new or differing understanding than their own. Mr. Smith made the analogy of an ant walking on the Mona Lisa. "This is all black right here where I'm standing." **Picks the ant up high above the painting** "Oooh, I didn't know all THAT was there!"

As good Bible students already know, study ALL relevant scriptures on a subject. By reading through the entire Bible regularly, you may run across something that wasn't found by using Strong's or a topical reference. Regular discussion with other faithful members will bring out perspectives that you may not have considered before. God created the Church with this purpose in mind. "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."


Let's Hear the Conclusion, Already!

Pay careful attention to each point Peter states just before his death to the entire Church: II Pet. 1:5-8 - "But also in this very thing, bringing in all diligence, filling out your faith with virtue [praiseworthy actions], and with virtue, [God's, not your own] knowledge; and with knowledge self-control [watch what you say and do], and with self-control, patience [allow people grow and understand at the rate God is leading them], and with patience, godliness [righteous and holy fruits will shine through], and with godliness, brotherly kindness [are you displaying gentleness and kindness, or are you divisive?], and with brotherly kindness, love [even shown to the world and your enemies?]. For if these things are in you and abound, they make you to be neither idle nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

When we have pet doctrines, we must make sure that they are indeed God's truth. We must watch how we present these ideas. Even if our intentions are good, we must inspect the fruits of our attitude towards our pet doctrines. We must also inspect our attitude when others present their ideas to us. Amazing truth can come from anywhere. But so can junk. If you feel something is absolutely necessary for salvation, do it! "For he who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." But allow your example shine to those who may not agree with you. And be willing to admit when your way didn't work and learn from that. Search for the entire truth on a subject... It will take a lifetime, and even then, we won't come close to what God knows.

God expects us to take the gift of Truth that He has given us and use it for the edification of others, not only for our own selves. If we isolate ourself from others because of our pet doctrines, we may become no different than the crazy cat lady down the street. However, if we "live peaceably with all men, as much as depends on you", we shall lie down with the Lamb in God's Kingdom.

Wars And/Or Rumors of Wars??

Gotta love those crazy dictators... er, democratically-elected leaders. Señor Chavez is posturing rather loudly with Ecuador playing along all while Colombia is protecting their people from a organization that has been terrorizing its people for 20+ years. You gotta love a name for a terror org like FARC 'cuz it's just screaming for a B action movie with Jean Claude Van Damme. This all seems like a similar setup to hairy situations the US was in while I was growing up... Granada, Panama, Noriega going crazy... It even harkens back to the Castro and Cuba, Viva La Revoluçion with Che Guervo, et al. It's been a while since South, Central or Caribbean America has blown up full scale into some kind of crisis that actually could have ramifications for the US. Venezuelan oil not only affects us (we import something like 15-25% of our oil from them), but refineries all over the region, including impoverished Caribbean nations, can only refine that kind of oil. It will also quickly take away the incredible amount of money that gives Chavez the power he currently enjoys. A poor, miserable people will only suffer a lunatic for so long. Meanwhile, the US is only really supporting Colombia in all this, so we have to defend them in case of attack assuming no one else comes to their aid prior to war.

Can the US handle another military front? Is Chavez working in tandem with Iran somehow on this to stretch us thinner than we already are? If we get involved with Venezuela, will that tick off OPEC? Stay tuned...