What's Right With This World!

In my last blog I said that selfishness was the problem with this world.  I have not changed my mind, but that could be expanded to include the more or less identifiable symptom called greed.  However, I want to change the direction of our thoughts here so that we might see something that is right with this world.

We have just experienced the joy of Thanksgiving.  What a wonderful time of the year.  Now, I don't claim to be a philosopher nor even a teacher, so don't be disappointed if all I'm saying amounts to no more than just revving my engine, but I must yelp about the great time of Thanksgiving that we have just enjoyed at my sister's house here in Cleveland, TN.  We had relatives from Florida, Alabama and Texas and we got to met some new friends from Wears Valley, Tennessee.  The rest of us were from 'close by' Cleveland, TN.  There were about 40 of us.  Some were young and some were old, some were small and some were large, some were of modest means and some were fairing well, some were fit as a fiddle and some were more like Momma's old, antiquated, Stradivarius (copy) Violin, but we all had one common characteristic; we were all happy.  At least everyone seemed happy to me.  We've all experienced sadness and disappointment from time to time, but the good news is that we can got over it.  We didn't have to continue in a sad, despondent, gloomy mood. What fun!  Laughing, singing, reminiscing, and of course eating.

What does this world have to do with that?  Well, this world is the creation of God.  It is a display of His splendor and majesty.  He has created such a beautiful world that even the beauty of it has healing qualities.  There are marvelous healing qualities in the trees and the fruit of the land.  The clean air we breath is a gift from The Creator.  If we only use the "stuff" of this world properly, we would find that everything we need is provided for us by such a caring God, then perhaps, we would know more how to enjoy the good things that this world provides for us because of His care.  We have morning, day time, and night.  We have summer, fall, winter, and spring.  What wonderful mountains and valleys, oceans and springs of fresh, bubbling water.  This world operates according to the laws of nature that God has designed.  And, I could rev my engine more but I believe I'll just let it idle for a while.  There is something right about this world, and I thank God for it.

I do hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  If you want someone to say a prayer for you, just click on 'Prayer Request' and let me know.  I'll be glad to pray for you.

What's Wrong With This World?

Do you ever feel like this is a crazy world?  What's wrong with it?  Here's a simple and short answer:  It's full of people!  That's right - People!  People are what's wrong with this world.  So, the question should be, "What's wrong with people?"  Do you ever feel like, if people would only listen to what you had to say, this world would be a better place?  Well, I'm going to be truthful with you......I have felt like that a time or two!  But, you know, I've found out that all people are not always going to listen to what I have to say, and even if they did, they would not all do as I say.  You're not surprised by that are you?  Well, the same thing holds true for you too. 

Everybody has their own idea or opinion.  How can we come together on common grounds, so that we can get along with one another and live and let live?  I know that it's a good possibility that somebody is already saying, "I don't believe that 'live and let live' is the right approach to life.  Instead we should require of everybody their own responsibilities and if necessary, punish them if they do not pay up."  Okay.  I don't expect everybody to agree with what I'm saying right here, right now, but, I'm going to tell you what I think is wrong with people anyway.  Are you ready?  Here it is: It's selfishness!  Greed, envy, jealousy, pride and all the other selfish adjectives can pretty well describe what's wrong with the people of this world, and since the people of this world is what's wrong with this world, then the answer to the first question is selfishness. 

I really didn't intend for this blog to sound like I'm preaching at anyone but if it does, so be it.  I might as well invite you to read these scriptures that are taken from the Holy Bible, the Contemporary English Version:

Jude 1:16-19  ...People grumble and complain and live by their own selfish desires. They brag about themselves and flatter others to get what they want.  My dear friends, remember the warning you were given by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  They told you that near the end of time, selfish and godless people would start making fun of God.  And now these people are already making you turn against each other. They think only about this life.....

2 Peter 3:3  ...First you must realize that in the last days some people won't think about anything except their own selfish desires.....

James 3:16  Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things.

Galatians 5:19-21  People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds.  They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom.

1Corinthians 13:3-8  What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.  Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do.  Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.  Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.  Love never fails!