Eat the Panda

jbforgy1 »

Sat Oct 03, 2009 5:55 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

With about 1,000,000,000 of our fellow human beings lacking food, I suggest that we should prayerfully review our priorities and be willing to make some changes (if not sacrifices) that will help the poor PEOPLE!

My guess is that the average person in the developed countries spends enough on pet food, junk food etc. to feed at least one starving person quite well.

A few changes could make a big difference for these hungry humans. Until they are significantly better fed, I will not be very concerned about feeding the pandas!

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Jn 3:17). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

No-Fault Divorce is Institutionalized Evil

jbforgy1 »

Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:43 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 10

Question: What kind of "marriage" can two people have when one is unwilling to be "married"? While I agree that from the Biblical perspective and also from psychological and social perspectives, divorce is often a tragedy, I do not think that changing the laws is the solution to the problem.

The solution is for individuals to decide to marry for life, to keep their promises and to love each other with God's love as long as they live. Anything less than that is not God's way.

What Makes Faith Real

jbforgy1 »

Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:21 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Thanks for an insightful piece in regard to a subject that has surely touched anyone who has believed--or doubted--for many years.

I confess that, like the Jews who faced Jesus, I have many times wanted a sign. Like Thomas I have wanted to see and know. I have wanted to walk by sight, not faith. While all of these desires are common among believers, they in no way detract from the reality or the greatness of the object of our faith--Jesus Christ.

So in the absence of ANY feelings and experiences to support our faith that has been established by the revealed Word, Jesus still says, "...blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20.29).

My feelings, at best, are unreliable. His Word (the Son and the Scriptures) are eternally reliable. So let us trust in Him even when, like Job, we feel abandoned or forgotten. If we wait but a little longer...we will see Him! The Dottie Rambo song, "We Shall Behold Him" (based on the Bible) certainly expresses this thought powerfully.

We shall behold Him!

The Real Population Threat

jbforgy1 »

Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:52 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

When workers get better tools, they become more productive. There is much potential for technological progress in many places in the world, especially in regard to farming. I expect that many youngsters in developing countries will be happy to live in a world with less competition for better, more productive work. Educators and businesses will adapt.

However, we may see more pressure on health care as we have more patients and few care givers.... Perhaps more care givers from the east will work in the west. We may also experience more stress related to fewer family members caring for their elders.

Mindful Eating, Mindless Sex

jbforgy1 »

Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:58 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Interesting. I have heard similar comments in regard to smoking and sex.

The truth is, that for Christians, our bodies do not belong to ourselves (1 Corinthians 6.9-20). So we honor God by obeying Him in regard to sex. This, it seems to me, is very clear.

What may be less obvious, but important to many of us, is that we also can honor Him by caring properly for these bodies/temples. I am a nurse and a vegetarian. I have seen the way many have damaged their bodies with tobacco, alcohol, other drugs and FOOD!

So, while I would not consider abstaining from ice cream as important as abstaining from fornication, it may be a choice that would enable you to serve God better with your mind and body.

When you fail to do the good you know to do, you sin(James 4.17). So think about the good things you know to do for your body along with the other good things you know to do--and do them! Paul wrote, "...glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6.20b).

An Improper Attack on Religion

jbforgy1 »

Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:46 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Calladus: "Every knee will bend", "If you are not saved, you are going to Hell"

Now THAT is hostile!
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If you were sleeping in a burning building and someone told you to wake up and flee the fire, would you call that "hostile"?

Accepting the Bible’s Authority

jbforgy1 »

Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:10 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I appreciate your good article, Luis. "God said it. That settles it."

New Study on Happiness and Watching TV

jbforgy1 »

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:38 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

One of my favorite high school teachers warned us not to become spectators. He talked about how he worked two jobs so his daughter could get a college education. Watching too much TV and many other activities are forms of what he called "spectatoritis". I found myself watching too many baseball games on TV a few years ago and I unplugged it. I did not plug it in again. This was a good decision for me.

How much is too much? Compare your spectating time with the time you spend in prayer, studying the Bible, serving others,reading good books and enjoying interaction with others to help you evaluate whether it is too much. *Should you spend less time releasing tension and more time achieving meaningful goals?*

Of course you can use the TV--or the computer--as a way to educate yourself or stay informed. Let us pray that God will help us to spend our time wisely.If you think you are doing that, maybe you will feel happier! :-D

Ephesians 5.15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16making the most of the time, because the days are evil. (NRSV)

Avoiding Spiritual Banana Peels

jbforgy1 »

Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:57 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

"Only four chapters in the Bible remain silent about sin and its dangers - the first two and the last two."

This is NOT true. So I would like to know why your wrote this, Luis!