When we are young our road is pretty well-marked out for us by our parents, but as we get older we normally are given options rather than being told what to do. What talents and gifting do we have? Are we mechanical or intellectual and what life path will we choose? This is the normal progression to maturity. However, there are a lot of variables that can affect the outcome of our journey in life and our success or failure.
I have traveled in about 48 states of the US and over 40 countries of the world and one of the most frustrating parts of my various adventures I have taken is when I have a map that is either incomplete or down right wrong. Sometimes I think I wish we would go back to paper maps! Remember when you would go to a gas station and buy one? That was before cell phones in a galaxy far, far away. In Charlotte, NC where we now have lived for over two years, the maps are often wrong or incomplete even through I have a 2018 vehicle. There are so many new roads that the electronic maps can’t keep up. In fact, the highway that is a beltway around the city doesn’t show the shortest routes to many northern destinations because it shows the Hi-Way as being incomplete, which it’s not. What I have experienced is that the maps on your car are often 4-5 years behind your cell phone map.
The premise of my blog as a whole is to investigate the human soul and discover how to live as God intended in spite of the chaos and conflict around us. Even secular people know that if we don’t deal with our inner world as human beings we will also never deal effectively with each other.
For some the topic of Authority seems to be a very boring topic. I get that, but needless to say it is a topic that more people need to consider when trying to navigate this complex thing called life. All of us have known someone who has abused authority. From parents, teacher, bosses to friends we have witnessed, often first hand, the misuse of authority. If we don’t understand what it’s for and how it should be applied we will not only be hurt by its poor use, but also blame the wrong people for the consequences.
As this blog site states, we are exploring the importance of the soul and how to keep it healthy. Today, few think much about the soul, yet Jesus said that our soul is more important than anything else in our lives and should be protected at all cost.
The problem with humanity is that we have a very small perspective on greatness. We get so captivated by the latest tech gear. I remember when the first iPhone came out. I was there, waiting in line for hours, something I have never done for anything else. All to buy a phone that became obsolete within a few short years.
The title of this article may seem odd, if not objectionable until you read it and understand why I’m writing it. During my lifetime as a Christian leader and pastor, I can’t tell you how many thousands of hours I have invested in trying to help people get freed from their past hurts. To help other pastors counsel well, I would recommend one of my favorite books called “Untwisting Twisted Relationships” by William Backus. He capitalized on helping people recognize the misbeliefs they have acquired over the years that hinder their present lives.
If you haven’t read the first part of this subject on God’s “Unfailing Love”, please do so as it will make more sense starting from the beginning. We are dealing with the “Myth” of God having “Unconditional” love rather than “Unfailing Love“. As I already stated, the concept of God having and extending unconditional love to humanity is a creation of the 20th century and it is found nowhere in the Bible.
Have you ever wondered why God seems to bless others more than you? At times, I know I do. Sometimes it seems I put more effort and heart into seeking God than those around me yet they seem to get more blessings. They seem to get more from reading scripture, more from being generous, more from prayer and just about any other Christian discipline.
I have traveled a considerable amount over my lifetime and I have learned a very important lesson when it comes to packing my suitcases. If you pack a suitcase too full you may find it in pieces…..leaving you few options. You can put a special strap around it and hope the TSA inspectors put it back on correctly which, from my experience, is highly unlikely. The second option is to unzip the “expansion” portion of your suitcase, which many people don’t use or realize they have. The problem with this technique is now your suitcase is overweight and you’re going to pay through the nose for the extra pounds and the baggage handlers will not g be kind to your bag. Here is my simple advice. Pack the suitcase for the designed volume and no more.
