The Fake Lights Would Destroy Hope

Psalm 16:1-9 KJV

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

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In these dark days it can be difficult to have hope. I have found myself reminding myself that I need to pray for the safety of multitude of civilians of many nations that have been left behind in Afghanistan. I have to remind myself because to tell you the truth I find that I have fallen into the trap of having little hope that they will all or even the majority be able to get out of Afghanistan safely.

Yet, without hope we cannot move forward to secure their escape. Hope keeps us moving and doing.  Hope will not leave us destitute and depressed. Hope will lead us to action. 

Our hope is misplaced when we it is based on any one or group of persons in government leadership.  They are not our saviors. There is only one savior. His name is Jesus. In him our hope must lie.

The world can be a very dark place. But, a light has come into the world. Sadly, too many prefer the dark and will not come into the marvelous light of Christ.

Years ago, I had a vision that I will never forget while at a Renewel In Missouri Conference. That vision was of a candle with a great light surrounded by a circle of smaller candles with very dim lights. One would think that those smaller candles were attracted to the great light. But, no. The candles with dim lights were surrounding the great light in the attempt to put it out so that their own lights could shine. So goes the world today. Egos of so many world leaders as well as others attempt to outshine the rest. They do not listen to the counsel of God. They are guided and guide others by a false light that is not of Christ but of their own imaginations. 

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Cor 11:13-14)

We can never put out the light of Christ even as many who profess to be Christians; profess to love; profess to care; try as they might to snuff out the light of Christ so that their own fake lights might shine.

Again... there is only one light that can be trusted. That light is the light that has come into the world for the sake of all of humankind. His name is Jesus the Christ. In him alone our hope must lie.

Let us pray: Lord God, have mercy upon us. Have mercy on all who are in harms way in Afghanistan and around the world. Have mercy on us filling us with faith, hope, and love through the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus the Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Fake News And False Witness (Conspiracy Theories?)

Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. (Ex 20:16)

What does this mean?  We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully lie, betray, slander, nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything. (Luther's Small Catechism)

I come from a family of storytellers. Though, he rarely spent time with his grandchildren, I understand that my paternal grandfather could tell some pretty good stories when he was with his friends. My Uncle Leonard was a great storyteller. He told us many bedtime stories in hopes that we would fall asleep. The one I remember most is how he captured a field mouse, taught it to speak, and sold it to Ed Sullivan. Some of you might remember that little mouse, Topo Gigo, that starred on the Ed Sullivan Show. The story went on and on over many visits. Each time he told the story, he added more to it. As a child, I believed him. Then there was my father's cousin, Frans Sillanpaa, the first Finnish author to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Yes, I come from a family of storytellers and I am pretty good at being able to discern between fiction and the truth. But...not always. There are just way too many opinions, theories, and conspiracy theories running around to have the time to pick through what is truth and what is fiction. Life is really too short to get caught up in all of that.  

The mainstream media presents a lot of opinions; without basis in any facts, as truth. It's what's called fake news. It appears; though, that there is a whole other side to this fake news. That other side is all of those conspiracy theories that are being thrust upon us. Some of them actually seem like they might have some validity to them. Others do not. The latest conspiracy theory and the one that prompted today's blog is one I saw on Facebook this morning. The theory is that Finland does not actually exist. Finland is a lie created by Russia and Japan to aid in Japan's fishing industry. Hmmm.... Yeah.... Major storytelling.... Oi Vey! 

When such outlandish stories are put out there; it is pretty difficult to accept any of the conspiracy theories we read or hear about. We just want to dismiss them all even if some might end up being truth. Why not just tell the truth based on real facts all of the time or at least most of the time!? And... who comes up with these stories anyway? It crossed my mind this morning that it might just be the CIA in order to keep us from believing anything conspiracy theories about them. Okay... I am just joking. There is no basis in fact to that statement. None whatsoever. Do not perpetuate that story!

I understand that there can be some big money to be made in storytelling; in fake news. These fictional stories; fake news, can also thrust someone into the limelight and help swell the ego mighty large and some people really do enjoy being the center of attention.

Many of these stories are being the told under the guise of bringing truth to light; to protect us from further harm; even to bring about peace in the world. But, lies and the purposeful slander of others are definitely not the way anyone is going to find peace. Live life in the present and live it without fear. Do not be creating fake news to protect yourself or to make gains for yourself. Live life in the truth, who is Jesus the Christ.

Have a blessed day and maybe turn off the news for at least a day or two. Live life in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Fake And Biased News

Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals
    violence.

Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no

    sense.

The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

                                           (Prov 10:10-14 NIV)

I am back in Proverbs this morning after reading the morning news. There was a lot of that senseless chattering going on. Some of it is fake; but, mostly it is a biased promoting of political agendas rather than the actual reporting of the news. Rather than reveal the real news that is happening around the country and the world; news that might motivate people to step up and help others rather than harm; the news reveals a hatred for those who do not agree with the newscasters' or the stations' opinions and/or political stances. There appears to be very little love and even less wisdom. Their mouths are invitations to division and the ruination of a free world through hatred, slander and more violence.

May God help us to understand that the hatred and anger that is being broadcast daily will bring us to our end. May He teach us to love one another as He loves us all so that we might live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fake News

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:24-26 NIV

I read and sometimes even watch a little news every morning. Lately, the amount I subject myself to has become very, very little. The grumbling and arguing of the pundits and the people has become more than a bit much. Fake news has hit an all time high. Fake news being fabricated stories; lies and slander. Do we really have time for all of the dissension and division that goes with it?

We live in a warped and crooked generation. I suppose there are many reasons for this negativity. Mainly; though, I believe, it comes from one's desire to advance their own personal agendas.

It is not just the media who advances the grumbling and negativity for the benefit of their personal self-serving agendas.  Many others, politicians, movie stars, athletes, even Christians, participate in this negativity. But, it does not have to be. It can change. The world does not have to so terribly steeped in dissension. There are an awful lot of Christians in the world (including politicians, movie stars, professional athletes) and if we would but hold firmly to the word of life and share that word; the light of Christ will shine throughout the world. The light will shine and the darkness will disappear from around us. The "stars" of this world are not the shining lights that can guide anyone on the path of life. Only the light of Christ can do that.

Do not get caught in the trap of grumbling or arguing or gossiping about everything little thing according to your own will. Focus on God's word and His will. Hold firmly to the word of life that his light might shine forth through you, so that the world may see the truth, who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. I first published this blog on January 17, 2017 on this "Live Life" blog site. I believe it is worth considering once again. The "fake news" hasn't seemed to slow down. And, please, please, please, be a little discerning as to how much information from  conspiracy theorists you ought to believe!