Early in our lives, we don’t know our limitations. Experience has a way of teaching us what we can’t do as well as what we can if we strive for understanding. If we are fortunate, when we are young, we have people cheering us on, though some have struggles from the beginning. The point is that we all have to determine whether to let life’s ups and downs control our future or whether we will reach for the understanding that will unlock the potential and purpose that we were created for.

Coming to Jesus in 1969 I understood that becoming a Christ follower was serious business and that’s why I resisted becoming a Christian for some time. You may ask how long I resisted and probably I would have to say all my life, though I didn’t realize it at the time.  Sometime we resist the “Presentation” of Christianity and of Christ. We call this religion. This happens when we color the meaning of Jesus’ words and life to suit our motives or lifestyle. In truth, this representation is a counterfeit though the people in it don’t see it that way.

When I was around 25 years old I was coming home to my home town of Santa Cruz, California after spending about five years in a ministry called Youth With A Mission in which I traveled as a missionary throughout the US and Europe. I was coming home with no money, no job, no car and no church family. My parents were not Christians and did not understand why I would be so serious about my faith to the point that I would spend my self and my resources in serving God’s purpose. Because of this, they would only provide a place for me to live temporarily until I got a job and a vehicle.  Approaching my grandfather for a loan seemed to be about my only option.

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.

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.

I recently watched the movie about the end of the apostle Paul’s life called, “The Apostle Paul”, which just came out on DVD. Although I usually like action and sci-fi movies a lot, this film was captivating to me for a number of other reasons. One of the main things that struck me was being reminded of people from the time of Christ paying a great price for their faith. Most Americans don’t really relate to suffering for their faith because in America we may possibly get ridiculed for our belief, but rarely do we pay any significant loss of property or bodily harm. There are exceptions, but few.