BELIEFS DETERMINE ACTIONS

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 3:27).

Josh McDowell wrote an article in Christian Counseling Today called, "What Teens Believe."  He shared some of his research on the beliefs of teens who lack a basic biblical belief system.  I do not vouch for the accuracy of his research except to say that it sounds reasonable to me and that is why I'm sharing it with you.

Teens who lack a biblical belief system are:
1. 36% more likely to lie to a friend;
2. 48% more likely to cheat on an examination;
3. 200% more likely to steal;
4. 200% more likely to physically hurt someone;
5. 300% more likely to use illegal drugs;
6. 600% more likely to attempt suicide.

What someone thinks and believes does have consequences!

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

GOOD RELIGION

If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain.  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:26-27).

Religion that makes you feel good without being good is not any good.*

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

*A barb borrowed from Sword and Staff.

I RECEIVED A NICE COMPLIMENT, OR THE GOOD ABOUT GRAY HAIR

A hoary head (gray hair) is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life (Proverbs 16:31).

Every Monday, the Hy Vee super market in our area gives senior citizens a discount on what ever they buy, a senior citizen being anyone over 55.  As I was checking out this last Monday, the checker asked if I was a "senior."  I replied, "yes I am," I'm 64, "but thank you for asking."  The checker didn't intend to compliment me on my youthful good looks, she was just doing her job, but it certainly made me feel good, knowing that she felt like she needed to ask--it made my day.

I do not have gray hair yet.  As recently as the early 20th century the average life expectancy was only about 50 years.  That someone would live until their hair was gray was somewhat unusual.  The best way to live to the age a gray hair was to live a clean and righteous life.  Perhaps I will make it to "gray hair" and I hope you do too.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

WHAT WAY ARE YOU GOING?

Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.  A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left (Ecclesiastes 10:1-2).

The way of the Lord is on the right.  The way of man veers to the left.  The way of the Lord is personal responsibility for one's behavior.  The way of man is for society to accept responsibility for personal irresponsible behavior.  Certainly, it is a sign of a decaying society when it is demanded of the government, and church related institutions, that they pay the birth-control expenses of single women.  On this earth, there is no end to foolishness. 

Though the contraceptive issue is a cheap campaign ploy of the democrats in an attempt to say the Republicans have declared war on women, it does reveal the depths of depravity to which our culture is headed.  How much lower can it descend?  Let me think, we already kill babies in an attempt to solve our social problems, now free contraceptives.  Free drugs to keep each one happy while the economy sinks into oblivion?  I believe there is a strong connection of the general abandonment of personal responsibility to a sinking economy.  The costs of supporting personal irresponsibility are too enormous to overcome.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom