Author: terry.a.lindsey@charter.net

The definition of legal is “a formal status derived from law often without a basis in actual fact”. I wander sometimes about the last part stating without basis of actual fact. No matter what profession you choose, you become a representative of your profession to the outside world. A Doctor represents his or her profession and becomes an expert in their field. As a patient, we are under their rules whether actual fact or their best judgement. How do we choose?

My old truck had an oil leak. All the expert mechanics said expensive to replace oil line. I pointed out to several that the leak appeared to be a loose connection at my radiator. The experts all said no. Instead of accepting a huge expense on an old truck, I decided to tighten up the connection myself. Guest what? No more leaks. Do you accept the expert opinion of one or get a second and third opinion? Perhaps, your final decision is based on common sense?

Doctors or mechanics are in the business of practicing their professions based on certain facts or educated assumptions. I had one Doctor tell me that he is not in the business of making assumptions. However, he could not tell me his recommended procedure would reveal any further findings. As a mechanic, it is easier to replace parts until problem solved, at the expense of the customer. Likewise, a doctor may see the solution as just another procedure at the expense of the patient. I am not suggesting to stay away from doctors or mechanics but I believe we need to be cautious of the experts. We should get multiple opinions, in my opinion, then make your best decision for your situation.

Politicians love to promise the moon during campaigns but when the voting is over, do they change their tune? I read a fictitious story recently about a politician who died and was given the choice to go to heaven or hell. He was first sent to hell where all of his passed buddies were playing golf and they all ended up dining with the devil in luxury. He was then sent to heaven where his eternal life was shown to be total peace without his friends and new devil friend. He chose to go back to hell where he was met by the devil for an eternal life of slavery with no green fields but only devastated land. All his passed friends were held in bondage to work the worthless land. He asked what happened? The devil said, before his decision, they were campaigning, but now they got his vote.

In Mark 12 starting at verse 38, Jesus warns us to watch out for the legal experts who walk around in long robes and want to be greeted with honor. They care not for you or me but it is all about their gain at your expense. Deceivers throw lots of money around out of their spare change. Whereas, the true believers give what they need to live.

Are we intended to give everything we have? In my opinion, we are intended to be aware of the legal experts, get multiple opinions then give or choose according to God’s will not ours.

T

Thanos is in “Titan Avengers Infinity War” but he is also a character in the game called “Fortnite”. He appears as a character in “American comic books” published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in “The Invincible Iron Man”. Who cares? To ask the question means you did not do Halloween with children pretending to be someone or something to get candy. I must admit that without five and nine year old grandsons to educate me on the importance of costumes like Thanos and Black Panther, I would be ignorant to the fantasy world these days. During my boyhood years, it was Superman, Tarzan and the Lone Ranger. There are so many costumes and so many characters that it is hard to keep up. Costumes are a set of clothes depicting a particular country, historical period or character. Costumes, during fun times walking secure “trunk or treat” events or safe streets to allow children to say “trick or treat”, is awesome. Beware though of the predators that also like to wear disguises in the hope of deception.

We are all subject to deception. People come to us dressed as if they are more important than you. Is it just another costume? Beware of the many costumes that can cause us to go astray from the truth. Also, be aware that there are good and wise people in the crowds of deceivers. Even Jesus was challenged by the so-called legal experts. They all came dressed with authority in the hopes of catching Jesus unable to answer a legal question related to the Law. Then one wise legal expert asked him which commandment is most important. The answer stopped any more questions not only because of Jesus’ answer but the expert’s interpretation with wisdom. I encourage you to read for yourself in Mark 12:28-34 about the importance of vertical alignment with the Love of God at the top.

T

 

It occurs to me that every waking part of our day is full of choices. We can choose to get out of bed early or lounge in bed for hours. We can choose to eat nutritious food or stuff ourselves with junk then complain why we are so fat. We can choose not to vote then complain for years why your favorite candidate did not get in or you can go vote and at least make you vote count. Your person may not win but at least you did something in the affirmative. You can choose to be a jerk and join the protestors or you can choose a more positive approach to life. You can choose a good career by taking the actions to ensure a good education that will make your chances of success much greater. You can choose to complain for the rest of you life why you did not obtain that good career blaming everyone but yourself. You can choose not to go to exciting placing on vacation for what ever reason or you can take action now to enjoy your discretionary time. You get the picture right?

One more choice you can make to me that is more important than all of the above. Who do you choose to worship? We have two choices, in my opinion. The first choice is temporary. Take food for example. We can worship what we eat until we become so overweight that disease takes over. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes along with 40% of cancer, would be prevented if Americans stop abusing their bodies. Read “Chronic Disease: A Self Inflicted Pandemic?” at www.mphprogramslist.com.

The alternative choice to the above is explained much better than I could ever explain in Hebrews 7 starting at verse 23. Shall we concentrate our daily lives into worship of one who is holy, innocent, incorrupt, separate from sinners, and raised high above the heavens? Perhaps, this choice may cause us to work a little harder to make right daily choices. In the end, I believe will lead us to ultimate victory.

Hear my audio recorded way back in October 25th, 2015 below if you have time.

T

The word call has many synonyms. The list includes cry out, shout, yell, roar, and my favorite slang, holler. When you cry out in order to get attention, you call. We used to make a call on an old fashion telephone. Instead, we use more sophisticate devices like smart phones or hand held computers. The call may not even be verbal as many of us prefer to simply text or email to get someone’s attention. It is scary how communication has moved from verbal one on one to a group call. That may be a good thing, but I fear may become a point of contingency in years to come.

The past tense of call is called. Do you believe God has called you? Back in April of 2016, I asked the question, “Have you ever considered you path in life?….Life can be good but it can be difficult also. What keeps you strong and on the right path?… How were you called?”

Perhaps a more direct question would be, do you know if you have been called? In Hebrews 5 starting at the first verse, we learn that even high priests are chosen from the people and put in charge of things related to God for their sake. If the priest is truly called, then they are empathetic to the people and able to deal with people since they also have similar challenges. They are merely reflective of the current human existence. Aaron was called by God and created the lineage of the priesthood under the Law of Moses. Jesus did not qualify to be a priest according to that law. Instead, he was consider a priest in the order of Melchizedek because he too was not a descendent of Aaron. Aaron and Melchizedek were called by God. I believe Jesus was set apart from a mere priest.

Can we be called by God and not be considered a priest? I believe without a doubt we are all called to a purpose revealed when we are ready. How do you know right from wrong? I believe you are on the right path when you meet resistance, but feel compelled to keep moving. Likewise, you may be on the wrong path when things are so easy no one or no thing causes you any challenges. But, here is the miracle of being on the right path, in my opinion, the resistance begins to break off and you begin to see a higher purpose. Keep moving resisting fear until your faith prevails.

T

Way back in the fall of October 2015, I posted a blog on sharpness. Now that we are approaching cooler weather as fall tries to overcome summer in 2018, I am reminded of the same theme. I said in 2015 that we stay sharp by our actions not our words. By our love not hatred. By our compassion not intolerance. By our thankfulness not regret. Three years later perhaps I need to amend my words to say that sharpness is a two-edged sword. Actions can go both ways with positive or negative results. We can choose to be intolerant to another perhaps easier than being compassionate. 

By definition, to be sharp means, to have an edge able to cut. Do we cut away the fat and keep the good meat or do we just slash out with no regard for our actions? Sharpness is the quality or state of being sharp. Is our degree of sharpness bordering on becoming a real “A Hole”? Sharpness should be a quality within our traits that separate us from animals and defines humanity. But, are we sharp with our tongue to cut into another with verbal abuse? In these days of instantaneous opinions based on assumptions, is there still a chance to be sharp in a positive way? I believe that if we choose the dark side, we will be found out in due course. In my opinion, there is a day of reckoning for us all. No matter how much we think we can hide, our true selves will be found sooner or later.

“God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword….No creature is hidden from it, but rather everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we have to give an answer.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)

T