I thought the movie was excellent. It had a very focused message—that Jesus Christ is the focus of our faith, and that living the gospel is the source of our happiness. Yes, anyone who investigates the church will find that not all of its members are faithful, positive, or productive. The movie did a great job of showing members who have made the choice to put the gospel of Jesus Christ first in their lives, in spite of pressures to do otherwise. Great movie.
If you want God to talk to you
“If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want him to talk to you, read your scriptures.”
― Richard G. Scott
I love this quote. I had heard it before, but my brother-in-law used it the other day and it really struck me how true it is. Some people seem to get answers to their prayers even as they are speaking the words. That has rarely been the case for me. My answers tend to come as impressions at a later time. One thing that has helped me greatly is to read the scriptures. Thoughts come to my mind as I read the scriptures that enlighten and expand my knowledge. I am able to reflect on the ways the Lord has blessed me and recognize how He has directed my paths for good.
All dogs get fat
Isn’t it strange how obesity in dogs (and cats) has increased just like obesity in humans has?
Dogs and cats are carnivores, yet there seems to be a push to give them a “balanced” low-fat diet supplemented with vegetables and cereal. I’m not sure what science this is based on, but I have a feeling it contributes to obesity in carnivorous animals.
When I was a kid, I don’t remember our animals being fat. I know there are other modern factors besides grain in pet food, but it has always struck me funny that someone would think dogs need to eat rice. It’s good for rice farmers, but is it good for dogs?
Luke 11 – commentary
In this post I share my thoughts on chapter 11 of Luke in the New Testament (KJV).
Luke 14 – commentary
In this post I share my thoughts on chapter 14 of Luke in the New Testament (KJV).
Luke 13 – commentary
In this post I share my thoughts on chapter 13 of Luke in the New Testament (KJV).
Luke 12 – commentary
In this post I share my thoughts on chapter 12 of Luke in the New Testament (KJV).
An ocean of artists
As far as art and design, I think I’m a pretty good oyster. I can turn out some nice pearls once I have a a few grains of sand to work with. But, about the time I start thinking I’m a decent artist, I take a look at Pinterest and realize I’m a tiny speck in an ocean of talent.
Straining at gnats and swallowing camels
There are many critics willing to closely examine, and cross-examine, the beliefs of those who have faith in Christ. Verse by verse and line by line they seek for contradictions and flaws. With great contempt and strong conviction they declare the folly of your beliefs. But, if you can get them to put forth some of their own beliefs, very often there is no study required to see flaws.
Luke 5 – Old wine and new wine – is the old better?
I saw a post on Facebook about the feasts of the Old Testament and how much we can learn from them. One commenter asked whether Christians are supposed to be celebrating these feasts. I thought how Paul spent a great deal of his ministry trying to convince Jewish Christians that it was not necessary for them, or for gentile converts, to follow the Mosaic law. It was something they just couldn’t give up easily.
This morning I was listening to Luke 5, and I thought of the scribes and Pharisees and their strong desire to continue in the observance of Mosaic law. Though it had taught them to look for a Messiah, the messiah they were looking for didn’t look like Jesus. They couldn’t ignore what Jesus was doing, yet they saw him as an interloper rather than their Shepherd.
Luke 5:27-39
27 ¶And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
I really wish I could have heard the words he spoke when he taught them.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The scribes and Pharisees appealed to tradition and questioned Jesus about it. They could clearly see the flaws of others, but they couldn’t see their own. Jesus was calling sinners to repentance and the publicans and sinners were responding.
33 ¶And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
Jesus was also not asking His disciples to follow after John the Baptist because He, the bridegroom had come. John the Baptist was a forerunner. He had prepared the way for Christ. His duty had been fulfulled.
36 ¶And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
The Mosaic law had also been a forerunner to Christ. It was to point the children of Israel to the coming of the Messiah, and it was about to be fulfilled. Instead of building on the foundation of the Mosaic law, Jesus was creating a different structure. Instead of choosing his apostles from the groups who currently had stewardship over the law and the spiritual instruction of the people, Jesus was choosing his apostles from those who were humble receptive, and able to see that He was the promised Messiah.
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Even the Jews who would become converts to the gospel of Christ would have a difficult time giving up the traditions that had become such a part of their culture.