I read once that most want to believe in a Truth whereby it fits their circumstances rather than Circumstances which dictate what was Truthful. As a matter of fact a new word was recently coined "Truthiness" which means exactly that. A word coined around Politicians, Pundits, and other such People who spout off what they want people to believe and what they promote as the truth, regardless the actual circumstances, I actually know a number of Leaders such as this. Their Truthiness is their opinion. To which I would add falls under the category of uninformed opinions.
Well here are my Opinions, they are based on my real life experiences, how I related to them (rightly or wrongly), and the conclusions I came to thru those experiences. These are the criteria, I am told are the major components of an "Informed Opinion".
But then again that is only my opinion.
ON BEING AN ELDER
When I was just a Youth in Church, to me an Elder was just a "Trumped up" Deacon.
However I as I got older (not elder) I learnt that a Deacon was to be a Servant, fulfilling the duties that an Elder couldn't complete because they were to busy looking after the Spiritual well-fare of the "Flock".
Recently that point has become rather a "stickler" in my definition of Elder and its quite running me aground theologically.
All I see our Elders do these days, is run the budget, hire/fire Pastors, just all round do "Boss stuff".
The Spiritual over sight seems to be lacking. They should be Praying for the Deacons to do it right, Spiritually of course.
I can't remember when's the last time an Elder wanted to Pray with me, attend my fellowship group so to encourage us, you know the Spiritual stuff I thot they were there for.
Yup I think I'm going back to the days of my Youth and my definition of an Elder, you know the idea whereby I thot an Elder was just a "Trumped Up Deacon", but this time it seems they are doing their job, with a lot more attitude and nerve, not so humble as the Deacons I knew growing up who also did the same Spiritual stuff I thot our Elders were to be doing.
I guess when they changed the name from Deacon to Elder in our Churches they forgot to also bring with them their Spiritual responsibilities and only kept the "Boss" ones.
But then again this is only my opinion
On Drugs
Not me of course.
Maybe I look this way because of some past experience.
No I'm just happy campers.
By the way, have you ever noticed that many people like to
wear their past on their sleeve as if it was a badge of
honour.
Especially those who recover from the abuse of drugs or
alcohol.
They are always reminding us, that they come from some kind
of mystical life or a camaraderie of sorts and that no one
understands their plight.
Well the first thing I say is "get over it".
If you are recovered from the past then stop reminding
yourself and me of that past.
I have been involved with too many recovered addicts, and it
is the same everywhere.
Or is it?
Teen Challenge, I've met their "grads" it would be hard
to realize they at one time were drug addicts.
Except for the occasional testimony whereby their history
comes into the story, these guys really are not looking over
their shoulder but to the future.
That is recovery, unfortunately too many of the rest of us
are still looking over our shoulders, we too must belong to
some kind of special fraternal order of the brotherhood of
"Knights of the, We feel sorry for ourselves"
Or are we too on drugs
But then again that is only my opinion
On Forgiveness
That is why the Bible tells you to take another brother along who is there to mediate the discussion.
Even if in the end it is yourself that erred, never be too proud.
But the kick is if you send a brother and that person is turned back by the other, because he feels that there is no problem between us, but between yourself and a third party.
I know that one is then to take a few brothers until it is reconciled.
In my particular case I may just have to do that,
But what if that third party is hurting because of what your particular involvement was, plus he believes the other party.
Then how can you reconcile with that person
It's a catch 22 or at least a stalemate.
I was told that time then is the only option, I don't agree.
But then again that is only my opinion.
On "Looking over your Shoulder"
I think I have spent too much of my life looking
over my shoulder, making sure I crossed my "T.s" &
dotted my "I,s", instead of looking straight ahead
to see what GOD had in store for me.
The problem of spending to much time in looking over
your shoulder is that you also begin to address the
new challenges in life that way as well.
Instead of going into the next issue with a sense of
adventure you address it with caution, blaming past
experiences that have gone sour for potential
pitfalls, always taking inventory and setting up
budgets based on the past.
You fail to see that God has only good things in
store for you.Ok maybe in the sense of the world
this new adventure may seem as a "bummer" at the
time, but then you are only interpreting it from
past experiences, that you didn't enjoy.
But then it was only because when you entered that
new situation you entered into it while looking over
your shoulder, and sort of just ran into it taking
you by surprise.
I think this is what Jesus meant when he said "let
the dead bury the dead
But then again that is my opinion
On Productivity
For years I have served the established church
in a variety of different functions. From a
simple functionary on a committee to that of
board chairman and even that of church
moderator.
I have felt best and been most productive when I
wasn't on any committee.Then I found myself
serving the Lord and His people.
But then again that is only my opinion.
On "Being Ill"
Not fun, but why do we pray for healing?
Most of us because, as I am, are whimps and
simply donn't want to be sick.
How often do we pray for healing, just so
that Gods name can be glorified.
Not many I suppose.
We just donn't want to be sick, and maybe
even die from that desease.
We want long healthy lives, and when it our
time to go, we go before anyone else we know
and it's like the guy in the Bible who
simply got on a chariot and flew to Heaven
to be with God.
I think that's selfish.
We should pray for healing in God's name and
ask for it so that we can be testimonies to
his greatness, so that others can see that
testimony and also turn to him for spiritual
healing.
And if we remain sick and die from so be it,
be a good testimony whilst we wait the end.
I have a close friend who is sick, with
something most people dread, the "C" word.
Cancer.
Everyone is sad, that her term here on earth
is going to a lot shorter than many of the
rest of us. And my spirit says "be of cheer,
be a good testimony.
But my mind says, please let her be healed
and live a long life.
So many reasons why I think she should, for
one it would stop my wife from crying
everyday thinking about her friend.
Also she is a good traveling companion and
she will be sorely missed.
She is about to become a grandmother and
should be able to see her first grandchild.
Yada Yada Yada
So I am going to be selfish and ask God to
heal her just for the reasons above.
Especialy the for last reason, that
grandchild will need a Godly Grandmother, to
pray for (him/her).
I personaly think that's enough of a
spiritual reason to be healed.
I guess I'll have to wait until I get to see
God to ask him.
But then again, that's only my opinion.
On Being Wrong
A Pastor and now asst moderator of the
MB Conferance
The other day I posted an opinion column
on "giving an opinion"I thot it was
rather good, and well written, humourous
as well, but one thing was wrong with
it.I was corrected on my observation.I
always say that I'm never wrong, but
always stand corrected.
But then again that is only my opinion
On "Seeing things Darkly"
To Dazil - A friend and exceptional
I.T. guy
Last week was a gorgeous week.Lot's
of sun. Lot's of new rental
agreements.On Saturday however it
turned to miserable rain.Or at least
I thot it was miserable.Reminds me
of when I lived in Kansas.Went to a
church there that was approx. 1/2
students who always prayed for
sun.And 1/2 farmers who always
prayed for rain.Go figure!Anyway.It
was Saturday evening and I needed to
go out to my truck and since it was
raining, I put on my leather riding
jacket, (you see I ride a
motorcycle) and my hat.Walked out
the door and it was wet and
black.Could hardly see the stairs
for all it was worth.I remember my
wife always tells our departing
guests,"watch out for the steps they
are slippery and it's dark"Could my
wife be correct?So I proceeded with
caution.Felt out every step.Found
the handrail.Cautiously worked my
way down the stairs.Thru 2 vehicles
parked it the driveway.And agreed
with my wife!I'm goint to have to
put a light or two out here.Finaly I
got to my truck, opened the door,
and then my eye got "itchy"So I went
to scratch it and what an idiot I
am.Realized I had my riding
sunglasses on.Took them off and the
weather was clear, the lights were
shining all around me, and it was a
gorgeous night.The next morning, I
told my wife of the incident and her
only remark was.."your getting
old"As I drove to church I thot
about the situation, and realized
that life is very much like what had
happened to me.We put on our
spiritual armour, to protect us from
the sins and cares of the world, yet
we also take along our cares and
worries.I couldn't answer why we do
that, but what became immediatly
clear is that to rid ourselves of
much of our own stress' and
troubles, sometimes it's as simple
as taking off your sunglasses.
But then again, that is only my opinion.
On Being a Minister
To Sam Mccullough, a good friend
My OpinionOn being a MinisterI
was out for lunch with a friend
awhile back who told me that in
the last federal election his
vote was not to vote."Good on
you" was my response. I wasn't
going to vote either, but I did.
My better judgment must have
been on holiday.But that's not
my story.The voting discussion
only triggered a recent
experience that I had had during
the election.You see, I wasn't
going to vote party but would
vote the best individual. So off
on a mission I went.I called on
the different and various
candidates in my riding, and
basically interviewed them as to
position, in particular theirs
that were in contrary to party
position, and those that would
serve best in my self interest.
The usual.By now you may be
wondering what has all of this
got to being a Minister.Hang
on.I may as well say it, I went
to the Liberal Candidates office
and whilst there was asked if I
wanted to stick around and meet
the Finance Minister of
Canada."Sure" I said. I'm always
a sucker for meeting
celebrities.Met Brian Mulroney
once, when he asked me if I was
going to vote for him. I
responded with, "Don't know, but
if you win I'll most certainly
pray for you"All I can say he
didn't take it the same way as
when I told Preston Manning that
I'd pray for him.Bill vanderZalm
even understood what I meant by
it.Told you I was a sucker for
meeting celebs.But back to my
story.Well, I'm in a room with
about 20 people in it and in
walks the Finance Minister of
Canada.The local candidate,
calls out to all assembled, "and
is there a Minister in the
room?"So I stepped forward and
waved to all present.There was a
hush, and the candidate said
you're a minister, and I
replied, "Yes, I'm a Christian
from a local church, and it is
my commitment and obligation to
provide housing to the homeless,
food to the hungry, and clothing
to the poor."Her response was "I
actually meant the Finance
Minister"."Oh! "I said. "I
didn't know you meant a
politician, sorry."Must make
good media, because he then
asked if there was any media in
the room and there being none,
was rather publicly miffed with
me as I asked a series of
questions about recognizing stay
at home moms, as the backbone of
our society, they are the first
to teach us fiscal
responsibility (allowances),
respect for the rule of law
(often referred to as obedience
and respect for ones parents)
and how to learn and take pop
quizes (reading the bible and
memory verse recital) Something
the government both federal and
provincial governments think
they can do better than the stay
at home moms. However they call
it school, court and jail.All of
these questions revolved around
tax credits to fathers who
worked while the stay at home
moms trained up our children.
(see I told you I work in my own
self interest).His best answer,
was that his wife asks him the
same thing. I told him that that
wasn't a very good answer, as it
sounded rather like a deflection
of a very good question.He then
asked me what I would do, and I
said I'm not a politician. The
question was for him, that I
provided for my wife despite my
plea for all working moms.Next
day upon my return to the
constituency office, I was
warmly greeted by most, and told
by a few that I had the correct
attitude about being a Minister.
That they too were Christians
and shared my position.It
actually made me feel good, that
I didn't have to be elected to
be a Minister, or be a celeb, or
even get a huge pension. (well
maybe the last one would be
nice).
But then again that is only my
opinion
On Giving my opinion
My OpinionTo have an "opinion" is a challenge.To keep it to myself, well, it becomes a heavy burden and I can almost become "ill" or at the very least, rather frustratedTo share it, on the other hand. can very easily become an issue. On occasion even embroiling others in controversy and distress, and again I can almost become "ill" in having involved people, where they did not choose to go.However, someone has to start the conversation, regardless of it potential direction. If no one did we may as well just sit around playing bridge, or watch ice melt.And unfortunately, I rather too often find myself being the one to get the ball rolling.Allow me to explain. my challenge.Firstly it's that most people do not understand what an opinion actually is.Many feel that you are simply being argumentative, while others say, " you're too opinioned " (whatever that means).Others may respond with your wrong or you're even "full of hot air".The worst are those who retaliate, with what I consider, hate. By responding with feelings that no one would consider proper.Okay, so you and I may differ on a subject or issue. If both of us have thot it thru, with the resources available to us, and we still disagree, so be it.Let's be civil.Plus as a bonus we didn't have to watch ice melt nor play bridge.So what is an opinion?In the world according to John vanDyck Jr. The way you see things, based on your exposure to life. (and don't go quoting Webters on the dictionary interpretation, this is my interpretation.)How to develop then share an opinionThe first thing to consider, or at least remember that when developing an opinion or sharing it with another is, have you prayerfully considered it?What do the scriptures tell you on the subject?Are you saying it with Agape Love?Also what has happened historically, is another consideration, (you do realize that there is nothing new under the sun, someone else already has been there and done that and thot that)An opinion is just that an opinion, it's what you are thinking based on your experiences at the moment. Its not a golden rule, nor written in granite.Nor should one think that everyone must accept your opinion, nor go by it.There is a great danger in rejecting another's opinion, "carte blanche", or expecting everyone to do as you have opinioned You in fact then reject the person, and this is the seed that leads to intolerance.Remember to disagree with someone isn't intolerance. Intolerance is in rejecting a person because of your disagreement.And you easily reject people by telling them they are full of hot air, or being argumentive, and definitely by giving them messages of hate.And this is my frustration in having an opinion.
But then again this is only
my opinion.
On Whats in a Name
But then again that is only my opinion
On Faith
But then again that is only my opinion
On Who is Prettier
I think even a cow would beat the two of us.
However, even tho this Buddhist Monk could possibly win by a few points, I cant help thinking what I can do for him from a spiritual point of view.
Both of us are on the track to be with God, both of us are zealous in our faith.
This guy has got to be, he's a monk in China, where you got to be zealous in the face of the subtle communist pressure that there is no God.
He just needs Christ in his life.
When I stood there, I was thankful that I lived in Canada where there is religious freedom, that I could live my faith on my sleeve.
Then I was reminded that circa 32,000 Chinese become Christians everyday.
Statistically this guy has a better chance about hearing about Christ, than most people in Canada.
Hmmmm. I wonder how many are doing that in Canada, I heard we are going in reverse.
Maybe I should move to China.
Then that is only my opinion
On Dying
While I lay on his death bed with him, I prayed in my heart that he would be healed. That he would find Christ as his savior.
He died, and as far as I know with out Christ.
Maybe I should have prayed out loud, maybe that would have worked.
I thot my trip was a failure, as a result.
A few years later, one of my friends that I made in China comes to Canada and becomes a Christian, and many more are at least coming to church as a result of her.
And who knows what happens back in China, with the people that I left behind and may never see again, or maybe I will, who knows what "took"
I would like to think something did.
But then again that is only my opinion
Read a great quote one time on a cooking show, would have been better if I heard it in church, or from the pulpit, but then not everything that you hear is in a church setting.
The quote was from Epicurus, some food guy from a few millennia ago.
"It is better to find someone to eat and drink with than it is to find something to eat and drink"
Love the quote.
But a good piece of pie doesn't hurt either.
But then again that is only my opinion.
.jpg)
