Small Town Life: A Question of Morality

I read a passage in the Bible the other day that said, “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” – 1 John 4:20

So my question to the world: Is the inverse true? If someone says they hate God (whatever the name they use for him or if they even believe in a higher being), but loves their brother, are they a liar? Is a person who doesn’t have any solid belief in a god but is kind and loving to their fellow man still going to go to heaven?

I think so. I think that as much as the God I believe in wants to have us include Him in our lives, if some human uses the idea of Him to hurt someone and that someone rejects that idea of God but continues on in life in a loving way toward their brother in humanity, they are a follower of the true deity in their heart.

What do you think? Do you have to have thoughts on this verse? Do you believe in a deity who is loving? Do you not believe in a loving deity and why? What are your thoughts on loving your brother?

Small Town Life – The Conversion Factor

Here in Small Town there are alot of Mormons. There seem to be missionaries everywhere! They are riding their bikes and walking and talking and well, we have a large Mormon population anyway but then there are the missionaries and we are saturated. Every 6 months or so, a new crop of missionaries will come in. Inevitably they will come to the house and strike up a conversation. They usually start with asking if they can do anything for us. For some reason, they always show up just around dinner time. I don’t know if my mom’s kitchen (which is huge) is a legend in the mormon world or if the scent of her homemade cakes wafts down the street to the ward only two blocks away but those Mormon’s know just when to come and knock. My mom can’t resist inviting a young person to eat. So in they come and then they come back and are invited in again and well… we aren’t Mormon so the success rate of their conversion attempts is clear. The usually leave a little bit fatter and we have yet another copy of the Book of Mormon.

Truth: I consider myself a churchy person. Why? Because all my friends are at my church. I love my church. I’m involved in my church and I regularly attend my church. However, I don’t feel the need to create baptized members of my church for the books.

God is Special!!!

Our 6 year old wanted to let everyone know that God is special and you are to.

Morning Star

I took the photo the other morning of Venus and Wifey added the text and photo editing

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the      churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”  Revelation 22:16

Enjoy the Silence

This article hits home with me. I tend to fill the void of silence with either music and Television. However, when I do take time to enjoy silence, I’m able to recharge, reflect and it gives me a chance to commune with God.

http://storylineblog.com/2014/03/05/the-most-underrated-sound-in-our-society/

Happiness

I saw this this morning on Facebook. It does have a good lesson it for our lives.

Once a group of 50 people was attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He started      giving each one a balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were                  collected and put in another room.

Now these delegates were let in that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written, within 5 minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for their name, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon.
Now each one was asked to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker began— exactly this is happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is.

Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness; you will get your own happiness. And this is the purpose of human life.

Gift of Song…

This is one of our many uber talented students that my wife and I have had the pleasure to work with over the years.  We are so proud of all of them. They just make us smile. I hope they will continue to use their talents to serve others and most importantly to serve God.

 

Hang In There

While trolling Twitter this morning I found this blog post, which makes me wonder if I’m at times a lazy Christian.

http://storylineblog.com/2013/11/08/hang-in-there/

First Day of Fall Sunrise (cont)

Here are a few more from my morning shoot of the sunrise. I am always amazed at the beauty of God’s creation.

Without a ND filter

With a ND 8 Filter

With a Red Gradient filter.
I also like the goose flying through the picture.

Rays of Light

For God, who Said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  2 Cor 4:6 NLT

God always shines through, and I want to always be in His light.

I have always enjoyed this song by DC Talk.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=in+the+light&view=detail&mid=AE508F44FC47D0FFE913AE508F44FC47D0FFE913&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR

Pine Cone & Frost

Purple Aster