Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Rewrite
* Scripture: This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
John 21:24, NKJV

A young lad was telling his mother about his Sunday School lesson for the day, the story of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea.
"Pharaoh came with his army while Moses was trying to get all of the people into the boats," he said. "The Israelites started shooting with machine guns, so Pharaoh called for the tanks. Moses had his soldiers set out land mines. The tanks tried to go around them and catch the boats, but ran into the sea and drowned. Moses and all the Israelites got away over the Red Sea."
"Is that what your teacher really told you,?" his mother asked.
"Well, no," the boy replied. "But if I told it like the teacher did, you wouldn't believe it either."
Many people have a problem accepting what is written in the Bible. Well, so be it. That is their prerogative. Others, however, are like the boy and the Sunday School lesson about the crossing of the Red Sea. Not satisfied with the way it is written, they rewrite the Bible in their own style, and with the facts changed to seem more plausible by their way of thinking.
Pick a topic, any topic, and you will find skeptics who claim knowledge of "the real truth" that others are conspiring to hide.
Members of "The Flat Earth Society" sincerely believe that the earth is not round at all, but flat, just as you can see. There is a group of people who are convinced that the moon landings were faked, all part of a big conspiracy on the part of NASA to get money.
The so-called "docudrama" is a popular form of entertainment that is based on some event that has a basis in fact, but is embellished far beyond the basic truth. All it takes is some element of mystery, some conspiracy theory, and many people become convinced that the "retelling" is more factual than actual truth.
A popular radio call-in program is based on numerous conspiracy theories, drawing those who are certain they have an elite gift of knowledge that enables them, and them only, to see the "hidden truth."
The disciple John ended his gospel with these words: "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." (John 21:25, NKJV)
Yes, John, many things have indeed been written about Jesus. Unfortunately, many are not truly inspired by God, and can not stand the scrutiny of knowledgeable witnesses.
John recorded Jesus' words (8:31-32) "If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Responsible witnesses affirm that John's words are true.
May 21, 2006

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Jesus said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Christ, and will deceive many.”
Mt. 24:4, 5. NIV

We begin this edition of Fairyland News with a fast-breaking story:
Three mice were observed running into the Hickory-Dickory clock tower. The clock struck one; we do not yet know which one.
A local musician’s son was apprehended earlier today running down the street with a pig under his arm. The pilfered pig turned out to be from Farmer Fred’s herd. The young man, named Tom, was chastised and remanded to the custody of his father, the Town Piper. The pig was reportedly being held for evidence.
An incident at the town well is being investigated on two counts. A young male was treated at the scene for a personal injury to his head after Jack and Jill fell while fetching a pail of water. The accident raises safety concerns to be addressed by the city, while the first aid treatment will be scrutinized by the Medical Board.
The housing shortage is becoming more evident in the city as citizens turn to unconventional structures. Peter the Pumpkin Eater has moved his wife into a pumpkin shell, while one widow has moved her family into a shoe.
On the social scene, Old King Cole has thrown another of his successful and well-attended parties. Everybody who is anybody was there, except for Humpty Dumpty, who is suffering from a devastating fall from the city wall.
The Prince is searching the kingdom this morning for the charming young lady who obviously captivated his heart at the ball, only to depart suddenly at the stroke of midnight, leaving behind a glass slipper. . .

Hopefully, you recognized the nursery rhymes used as the basis of my slightly twisted news report. Perhaps you recited them to yourself. Recognition is one thing; accuracy another. My purpose is to point out that many twist the Gospel - the Good News - with empty claims concerning Jesus and the scriptures.
Jesus warned that many false prophets will appear, with claims no more valid than fairy tales. (Mt. 24:11; see also Rev. 13:11-18)
Peter speaks at length of false teachers in 2 Peter, Chapter 2. Peter states, “For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.”
Fairy tales; empty words.
Get the Good News; Read your Bible daily!
September 28, 2003