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- Jun 12, 2015
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We are constantly bombarded with the insistence that we should FEAR.
By the mass media (perhaps hoping to get us to tune in?)
By some in government, especially from the Left (perhaps hoping we'll believe them that only THEY can save us?)
Earthquakes (the BIG ONE is overdue!)
Fires
Floods
Tsunamis
Global warming (since 1990's, Global cooling before that)
Our sun dying
Asteroid impact (Killed the dinosaurs - we're next)
Cosmic Ray Burst (Happened before, will again!)
Rouge planet (or worse, rouge mini black hole)
Pandemics
Biological warfare
Over population
Terrorists
Gunmen at malls, schools, churches, work places
Nuclear war
Republicans
Over and over..... "Be afraid!!!!"
I experience one of those yesterday. Here, we were told a hurricane was coming! Five to twelve inches of rain, 50 MPH winds, enormous lightning! Everything closed (except Disneyland - it don't close for nothin). Lots of churches cancelled services. We were told to stay home, put up sandbags. Well... we got 1.3 inches of light, easy rain. Very little wind. No lightening. But the news showed a downed tree... a flooded intersection... and told how HORRIBLE this was. Hum. There were some areas with rain (the same places that always get the most rain when a storm comes), and it was very unusual to get a lot of rain in the desert. But all the horrible predictions, well...... There was little need for fear.
King David wrote, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear nothing - because you are with me." He didn't say the valley didn't exist, but he said there is no reason to fear.
The Disciples were in a boat... they got caught up in a storm... a figure appeared on the waves and they thought it must be a ghost... and they feared. Jesus said, "Take heart, don't be afraid, I am here." He didn't say the storm wasn't real, He said something more important is real and present.
The Disciples were in the upper room... the doors locked for fear of the Jews (who had crucified Jesus a couple of days earlier and perhaps figured they were next). Jesus comes. He says "Peace."
In Romans 8, Paul insists God is with us and asks, "What then can be against us? He gives a long list of real things, things that happen, but cannot change the reality of God's love for us.
Over and over.... "Peace"
Why does the world fear?
What is the interplay between fear and faith?
Does faith mean evil and danger don't exist?
What causes you to fear?
What gives you peace?
.
By the mass media (perhaps hoping to get us to tune in?)
By some in government, especially from the Left (perhaps hoping we'll believe them that only THEY can save us?)
Earthquakes (the BIG ONE is overdue!)
Fires
Floods
Tsunamis
Global warming (since 1990's, Global cooling before that)
Our sun dying
Asteroid impact (Killed the dinosaurs - we're next)
Cosmic Ray Burst (Happened before, will again!)
Rouge planet (or worse, rouge mini black hole)
Pandemics
Biological warfare
Over population
Terrorists
Gunmen at malls, schools, churches, work places
Nuclear war
Republicans
Over and over..... "Be afraid!!!!"
I experience one of those yesterday. Here, we were told a hurricane was coming! Five to twelve inches of rain, 50 MPH winds, enormous lightning! Everything closed (except Disneyland - it don't close for nothin). Lots of churches cancelled services. We were told to stay home, put up sandbags. Well... we got 1.3 inches of light, easy rain. Very little wind. No lightening. But the news showed a downed tree... a flooded intersection... and told how HORRIBLE this was. Hum. There were some areas with rain (the same places that always get the most rain when a storm comes), and it was very unusual to get a lot of rain in the desert. But all the horrible predictions, well...... There was little need for fear.
King David wrote, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear nothing - because you are with me." He didn't say the valley didn't exist, but he said there is no reason to fear.
The Disciples were in a boat... they got caught up in a storm... a figure appeared on the waves and they thought it must be a ghost... and they feared. Jesus said, "Take heart, don't be afraid, I am here." He didn't say the storm wasn't real, He said something more important is real and present.
The Disciples were in the upper room... the doors locked for fear of the Jews (who had crucified Jesus a couple of days earlier and perhaps figured they were next). Jesus comes. He says "Peace."
In Romans 8, Paul insists God is with us and asks, "What then can be against us? He gives a long list of real things, things that happen, but cannot change the reality of God's love for us.
Over and over.... "Peace"
Why does the world fear?
What is the interplay between fear and faith?
Does faith mean evil and danger don't exist?
What causes you to fear?
What gives you peace?
.
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