And when I heard the gospel at a vacation Bible school in 1969, I considered it carefully before making up my mind to repent and become Christ's adopted child. But since nobody mentored me and I had suffered some bad church experiences, I fell for the lies of The World Tomorrow radio program.
I craved God's truth so much that I fell for the lies of a house church leader who claimed to receive revelations from heaven. He, and the woman whose house we met in, also blamed me because I wasn't healed of my poor sight. Their abuse caused me to reject the Lord for nine years. I believe these are the type of folks Christ meant in Matthew 18:6 (BBE). "But whoever is a cause of trouble to one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have a great stone fixed to his neck, and to come to his end in the deep sea."I've also been a fan of justice. Having been sent to a school for the blind, I know what it feels like to be imprisoned and exiled for no crime.
It was for that reason that I was also attracted to socialism. I didn't know my Bible well enough to realize that confiscation of wealth was actually theft of God's gift to workers. Look at what Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:19 (BBE) regarding the gift of earning a living. "Every man to whom God has given money and wealth and the power to have pleasure in it and to do his part and have joy in his work: this is given by God."
Now I know that wealth redistribution by force is a wrongful sort of confiscation. It also rewards idleness. Proverbs 21:25 (BBE) reads, "The desire of the hater of work is death to him, for his hands will do no work."Because of these character traits, I've enjoyed the Narnia chronicles by C. S. Lewis. Evil was present in those stories but it was always vanquished.
This is why Revelation 21:4 (BBE) means so much to me. "And he will put an end to all their weeping; and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain; for the first things have come to an end." Amen!
I am also looking forward to that day, Bruce, when there will be no more weeping, death or sorrow. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be a day of extreme emotions. We'll be gleeful and the wicked will be terified. It'll be the ultimate space invasion.
DeleteAfter reading your blog, Bruce, I was reminded of Peter’s reference to our being sojourners and pilgrims in this world. (1Peter 2:11) We are all pilgrims here, but I truly see you as a pilgrim in the story you are sharing with us. An old Swedish from my childhood comes to me. Here is a bit of it.
ReplyDeleteVerse 1: “As pilgrims in this world where life is fleeting/ We journey to meet our dearest Friend./ Keep Thou, O Lord, our hearts from false affections/ And lead us onward to the journey’s end.// Verse 2: It matters not that trials come and sorrows,/ For soon the pilgrimage will meet its goal;/ And then will God in more abundant measure/ Give rest and gladness to the weary soul.// Dear Bruce, May God bless you and each one of us as we continue on our journey.
Thanks for your kind words. Like Larry Norman, we're just visiting this planet.
DeleteThanks for your post, Bruce. I, too, have enjoyed the Narnia chronicles. They present the story of Christ and redemption so beautifully. Your words remind me of the truth of the gospel: "Evil was present in those stories but it was always vanquished."
ReplyDeleteI'd love to write like Mr. Lewis. Maybe that will happen someday. I love talking animals. I also wish Athena would be able to tell me what she wants. Even if that cat could speak single words, I'd be satisfied.
Delete