Every time dirt can be dug up about a good and morally clean conservative Christian it seems like the whole world opens up in hateful rhetoric. Christians are angry because they feel betrayed by someone who was supposed to stand by them and their values. Non-Christians rejoice at the idea that Christians aren't any better than they are and go out of their way to make situations seem worse than they actually were. The wording of the situation is manipulated to cause feelings of anger and betrayal and to cause everyone to question the faith of the person in question.
Let us remember that God is the perfect judge of both quick and dead. Christianity teaches very clearly that we ought to live by high moral standards. Christianity also teaches us that when we fail to meet those standards that it is not the end of the world. We need to seek guidance and forgiveness and we need to make restitution for our wrong doing. There is only one person who has lived a perfect Christian life and that was Jesus Christ. The entire purpose of Jesus Christ's ministry was to show that anyone could obtain mercy from God and be forgiven for his/her sins through Him.
When looking at a scandal please remember that you are not perfect either, to look at the facts of the case instead of getting caught up in the media hype, to let go of any anger you may feel, and most importantly to remember that the personal details of someone else's life are ultimately, none of your business.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Comfort
I have always enjoyed reading stories to my little boys before putting them to bed. My three year old has decided though that he would rather be put to sleep by a car ride. So I've taken the opportunity to tell him stories rather than read them.
On one particular night I decided to tell him a story from the Bible. I told him about how Jesus had fed thousands of people with only a little bit of food and how there was a lot left over. The next day the people looked for Jesus and had a hard time finding him. When they did find him Jesus was not happy with them, they had cared more about the food than the teachings. I explained to that we should always be doing the right things for the right reasons.
The next night I told another story. I explained how the disciples had believed that a ghost was on the water and how afraid they were. Then they were reassured when Jesus told them not to be afraid, it was him on the water. Simon Peter became excited and wanted to join Jesus. Jesus told him to come. Simon Peter walked out onto the water a ways but then the wind picked up and the waves became larger. Simon Peter became afraid and began to sink. Having not lost all of his faith he reached toward the Savior and cried, "Lord, save me!"
Jesus put forth his hand and rescued his friend but chastised him, "Oh ye of little faith." I broke the narrative to explain that though a lot of faith is always better even a little bit of faith is enough to save us. I was talking about the storms of life in general and was not thinking of any particular problem or storm as I spoke the words.
As the words came out of my mouth though there was a power in them that I had not expected. The Holy Ghost testified to me that what I had said was true and that I would be all right in my own present troubles. My heart filled with gratitude and wonder.
I know that God lives and loves us and that He will reach out and save us from our personal storms. I know this because He has done it for me in the past and He has promised to do it for me again. Speaking to my sons about the gospel has become one of the most spiritual parts of my day.
On one particular night I decided to tell him a story from the Bible. I told him about how Jesus had fed thousands of people with only a little bit of food and how there was a lot left over. The next day the people looked for Jesus and had a hard time finding him. When they did find him Jesus was not happy with them, they had cared more about the food than the teachings. I explained to that we should always be doing the right things for the right reasons.
The next night I told another story. I explained how the disciples had believed that a ghost was on the water and how afraid they were. Then they were reassured when Jesus told them not to be afraid, it was him on the water. Simon Peter became excited and wanted to join Jesus. Jesus told him to come. Simon Peter walked out onto the water a ways but then the wind picked up and the waves became larger. Simon Peter became afraid and began to sink. Having not lost all of his faith he reached toward the Savior and cried, "Lord, save me!"
Jesus put forth his hand and rescued his friend but chastised him, "Oh ye of little faith." I broke the narrative to explain that though a lot of faith is always better even a little bit of faith is enough to save us. I was talking about the storms of life in general and was not thinking of any particular problem or storm as I spoke the words.
As the words came out of my mouth though there was a power in them that I had not expected. The Holy Ghost testified to me that what I had said was true and that I would be all right in my own present troubles. My heart filled with gratitude and wonder.
I know that God lives and loves us and that He will reach out and save us from our personal storms. I know this because He has done it for me in the past and He has promised to do it for me again. Speaking to my sons about the gospel has become one of the most spiritual parts of my day.
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