Beliefs

What I believe

I believe each of us has a unique belief system. If we are not born with a belief system we quickly develop one. This implies an inborn desire to seek reason and purpose for our lives.

I have observed that my belief system changes as I grow older and experience the circumstances of my journey. This has led me to add to and modify my beliefs. I no longer believe some things and I have acquired new beliefs. Beliefs seem to be what guide my life, and my life seems to build my beliefs. These seems like circular logic. So, I have concluded there is a controlling factor underneath all this. I think it is love.

Two things must be true about our belief systems. They are unique,no two are the same. They are all incorrect,incomplete or both.

I believe we all have a strong tendency to believe our system is correct. C. S. Lewis spoke about this observation in his well know book “Mere Christianity “.

My belief system is way too complex for me try to list all of it in any written form. It is enough for me just to know about it. Some important points for me are;

It governs my walk through life.
It is not correct or complete.
It started out conflicted if not controlled by the evil world.
My heart was change by Jesus when I was twelve.
My beliefs have been guided by his love since that time.
Jesus continues to work on me to change my beliefs and behavior.
Jesus has given me three commands.
Love God, Love others, and Go be a witness for his love.

BEFORE CHRIST

Before I found Christ... This is a mis-statement to start. I don’t think I actually found Jesus but we’ll talk about that in a later blog.

...and He began to change my life. At the change time I’d lived in Kansas with my parents for twelve years. My birth place was Garden City in 1936. Good things were about to happen. The Great Depression was over and conditions were improving. The prairie dust storms were diminishing but still came at some frequency. And, I was about to meet my maker.

My first memory is about my attempt to run away from home with the dog. I’m told I was a quiet and well behaved child. I just remember being lonely. And, I was also very private...I never shared or talked about my feelings or thoughts. I kept it all bottled up inside. I believe the run away attempt was the beginning signs of life time of searching for purpose. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? What am I to do?  These questions began to haunt me. The search continued without success until the day Jesus captured me. The search was relentless and purposeless. I continued to be more lonely and extremely discontented. My parents tried to reach me without success. Everything was bottled up inside. I was intent on defeating any attack from the outside by showing everyone nothing could penetrate my impervious exterior shell. Nothing and no one could get through...get inside. I refused to share. I never displayed emotion except for not caring. I was trying to run my own life and not going anywhere. Frequent asthma attacks were my only outward display of rebellion...they were violent and effective. This behavior was leading me toward a very destructive life style.

What happened next????

Evolution of Life

Why do many Christians (purported followers of Jesus)  not believe in evolution? It’s really hard to say. Perhaps they’re not thinking. Or, being stubborn. Or, just believe in hear say. Once I found Jesus, or he changed me, the evolution of my life began. For the first thirty years I knew something dramatic had occurred but I couldn’t understand what. I just knew I’d been changed. In the next episode I’ll talk about life before the change. If you want to learn more keep watch. It’s a good story. At least I think so.

LOVE

Love

Achieving love in our hearts can only be accomplished by following the one who is Love. And, the following cannot be accomplished by one of us alone. We must be supported by the righteous power of the Holy Spirit. And, I believe this can only be accomplished in community. 

National Health Care

National Health Care. 

Scrap Obama Care and do not replace it. Government health care severely erodes individual responsibility. Make America and Americans stronger. 

More on Life

"“ Human life is a struggle, isn’t it? It’s a life sentence to hard labor. Like field hands longing for quitting time and working stiffs with nothing to hope for but payday, I’m given a life that meanders and goes nowhere—months of aimlessness, nights of misery! I go to bed and think, ‘How long till I can get up?’ I toss and turn as the night drags on—and I’m fed up! I’m covered with maggots and scabs. My skin gets scaly and hard, then oozes with pus. My days come and go swifter than the click of knitting needles, and then the yarn runs out—an unfinished life!" from "The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language" by Eugene H. Peterson

MORE ON "FINDING LIFE"

This is my Father's world. It is not my duty to fix it. I'm blessed to have been chosen by Him to live here. I'm further blessed by the neighbors He chose to be here with me. We, those He chose, are fallen, lost and subject to sin. By the blood of His Son we have been found and saved. His gifts to me are numerous, wonderful and undeserved. My hope is found in Him and Him alone. We are in "Good Hands". Mine is not to reason why. Mine is just to do and die. He will take care of me. Praise and glory to the King of kings. 

Being upset is not a human right. Its a human condition. We are called to help those who are suffering without causing more suffering. Many have identified the problem. Few are seeking option that comfort and assist. Lots of talk. Not much action