The United Order

A Letter to the Editor:05/29/2012 6:20 PM

On May 18, I read the opinion “It may be that God would prefer Communism.” I’d like to respond to two biblical interpretations made by R. Steele Selby.The first opinion I’ll address suggests God prefers communism based on the Book of Acts. In the Book of Acts, Christian converts did turn over all that they had to the church. They were in commune with the church, not Rome. They did not turn them over to Caesar to redistribute.In Matthew 22:21, Christ said “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars; and unto God things that are God’s.”Who would you rather give all that you have to, your church or to your government? I choose my church, just as the early Christian converts did.If you’re not Christian, it would make sense to give to your government. If you are a Christian and you choose to give unto Caesar rather than your church; maybe you’re at the wrong church.

Second, the opinion stated that Ananias and Sapphira died because they “kept half of their net worth for themselves.” That is only a part of the story. Verses 3, 4 and 9 of Acts chapter 5 explain that the couple was guilty of lying to God.Specifically, verse 3 reads “…why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost…” and verse 4 reads “…thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Their transgression was lying to the Holy Ghost and God.

While we’re in chapter 5 of the Book of Acts, let us remember what Peter and the other apostles said when they were commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus Christ. They said, in 5:29 of the Book of Acts, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”Likewise, I encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to obey God rather than men.

Don Bishop
Cumberland

Vision Quest

What is a vision? One of the definitions I've found says a vision is "the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be." I ask, because I hear so many "successful" professionals discuss the importance of having a vision for success. Well, I've been trying as long as I can remember to come up with a professional vision. I can't.

No matter how hard I focus. No matter how long I try. I can't "anticipate that which will or may come to be", professionaly. This, I think, contributes to my bouts with depression and anxiety. I desperately want to professionaly achieve all that God has made me to achieve, but I have no clue what it is. Sometimes I wait for the "right job" to present itself. Other times I try to make the most of the job that I have. Neither satisfies me.

Am I the slothful servant?  I hope not! Because, personaly I have a vision. I dream of the day that I stand face to face with Jesus Christ. I desperately want to hear "well done, thou good and faithful servant." I pray that I am doing Gods will. I hope that His vision for me is to love my wife and kids and to teach them His Gospel. When I do these things, I feel joy. I feel love. I am able "to anticipate that which will or may come to be."

I will continue to press forward in my career, praying for His will to be revealed. Maybe He doesn't care where I work; just that I work. So long as I pursue my personal vision. 

What will make me happy?

My mother in law called today. She wanted to speak to her husband, who is helping us out with some much needed concrete work in the basement. But, before I gave him the phone she asked me to update my blog. The timing of this request was perfect, because I've been thinking about writing for some time.

You see; I just haven't been myself. In fact, I have been down for quite a while. I can't point to one particular thing or incident that has caused me to feel the way I do. Its just happened. And, it sucks!

It sucks because I'm usually the happiest guy in the room. Others expect me to make them happy. I expect myself to make others happy. That's what I do. That's what I've always done, but lately, its more of an act. I feel like there is somebody inside me trying to get out. Somebody with something to say. Something important to do and I don't know exactly how to release it.

I've thought and prayed, pondered and considered, and I always come back to these 2 things:

1) free yourself through obedience and self mastery

2) express yourself by writing

So, I'm going to do my best to follow the revelation I've received. I hope my mood will soon improve. I hope to release whatever it is that's inside me. And I hope my mother in law knows how much I appreciate her timely challenge. It was just what I needed.