Wednesday, November 6, 2013

There are many things that are written in the Bible that come into question ...for whatever reason.

Some people question the great Flood during Noah's day ...proposing their own ideas, whether it was a world-wide flood or just a local one.

Some people question the parting of the Red Sea, as Moses was led by God out of Egypt ...proposing any number of explanation, inclusive of earthquakes and lava flows.

Some people question the virgin birth of Jesus ...and some question the entire testimony, inclusive of His death and resurrection.

So, could you add to the list of things we find difficult to believe?  We is most difficult for you to accept?

Often the most difficult parts to accept are not the things we don't give much thought to ...those we often take for granted.  Why is that?

Probably because they don't challenge us much, and they are not a threat nor require us to reassess our way of thinking.

It seems that what is most difficult for people to accept is not the miracles ...but the standards.

And that is why I believe the miracles are often questioned ...because the standards can be swept under the carpet if the miracles are discredited.

(Personally, I believe in the Bible as God's Word ...and find it interesting and challenging to discover the treasures within.)


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Any questions ...sure, there are.  But, doubts ...that's another question. Faith and belief help shut that door, yet when someone says, "Knock, and it shall be opened up to you," ...well, that opens us up to understanding, love, and salvation.

An 8th grade Teacher says to his rowdy class:  "It may be an uncomfortable subject, but today we are talking about heaven and hell.  Whether you believe it or not, there is a heaven and hell."

Frank:  "What do you know about either?"

Teacher:  "The references we will use today, will be from the Bible."

Frank:  "Many writings have origins in ancient mythology."

Teacher:  "That's fair, Frank ...go ahead and name one."

Frank:  "How about Asgard?"

Teacher:  "Okay, Frank, tell us about Asgard."

Frank:  "In Norse religion, Asgard is one of nine worlds.  Earth is Midgard, below Asgard, and surrounded by a huge impassable ocean.  Their ruler is Odin ...and he has a son, Thor.  He also adopted a son, Loki."

Teacher:  "There we have it ...we had a mature description of Asgard.  We just proved that we can talk about subjects that we don't necessarily believe in.  Maybe we can hear more about that when we discuss our favorite comic book characters.  But, for now, we are discussing references from the Bible about heaven and hell."

Darren:  "My dad says he doesn't believe hell is a place of torture, yet even if it were, it would make it a bit more tolerable than your class."

Rhoda:  "My mom says it's just a lonely place."

Darren (winking at Rhoda):  "I'll keep you company."

Rhoda:  "I like being alone ...and being left alone!"

Teacher:  "Imagine the possibilities ...consider the high possibility that there will be no iPhones in that lonely place."

Frank:  "I'd wager to say there will be no iPhones in heaven either."

Teacher:  "My imagination would have to agree with you ...but the beauty of it is that for the first time many of you will see the world as you have never before ...face-to-face."