JUST ANOTHER TRIP AROUND THE SUN
Week 07
of 52 - Christian Radio
So far have traveled about 85,000,000 miles.
I
received my playing card as usual.
The
bishop suggested this might be a game of "Spiritual Solitaire." ??
He
suggested looking at the first five cards to see if there was anything
significant, so I suspect he meant "Spiritual Poker."
??
Anyway
- Here are the cards:
01 of
52: 6 of clubs
02 of
52: 3 of hearts
03 of
52: 3 of clubs
04 of
52: 5 of diamonds
05 of
52: can't find it
06 of
52: 5 of hearts
Thoughts
during the week:
Leona
and I are going to
One of
the most commonly chosen subjects has to do with salvation - whether it is by
grace or by works. That subject will
surely come up over and over. I've often
wondered what it is people believe we are saved from.
The
Visit:
Christian
Radio.
Sure
enough - that subject of salvation came up on the radio. Since we can only listen - and not ask
questions, I imagined some conversations we might have.
"You
say we must all accept Jesus Christ to be saved. Is this to be saved from Hell?"
"Of
course - who wants to be burned without any end to it?"
"I
suppose we could agree that nobody would want that - nobody would knowingly
choose that - right?"
"Right
- we can agree on that."
"Could
we also agree that the Devil has not the power to decide who must burn forever
and who will go to heaven?"
"Yes
- we can agree - the Devil cannot make the choice."
"So
- do you believe then that it is God who decides who burns forever and who does
not?"
"Yes."
"Then
this salvation - what we are being saved from is God?"
"No
- we are being saved from our sins."
"But
even those who sin badly - and who do not know Jesus - still would not choose
this outcome - Only God chooses this for his children who are not lucky
enough to hear and agree? It is God's decision
on this matter from which we are saved.
Satan did not make Hell - God did."
Of
course, as Mormons, we don't quite believe in this fire-filled Hell (to our
credit) - but we do believe in some punishments that never end - (to our
discredit.)
Punishment
has only one good purpose - to bring about improvement. A punishment that never ends has no
purpose. (Except
revenge.)
My
problem with this is that it is the worship of power. It's interesting to me that there are three
words in the scriptures, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. One meaning "all-knowing,"
the next "being everywhere all at once," and the third meaning
"all-powerful." But
there is not an omni-word for all-goodness.
God is only good - but we have heard many lies about Him. One of these is that He would send some of
His kids to burn forever. No no no -
there will never be a time when His children cannot change and improve. We ought to worship goodness - not power.
I think
many people believe the Mormons are a "works" church - believing they
save themselves by doing lots of good works.
We put enough public emphasis on works that it appears that way. Anyone who studies Mormon teaching would come
to know that we are a "grace" church that believes in works.
We
believe that all on the Earth are saved from the punishment that would come
from Adam's transgression - as a free gift.
Free or
not, however - who is it that we are saved from? We are not saved from the Devil; he has no
such power. It must be God we are saved
from. Any comments on
this?
We
noticed that many of the programs include music from the Tabernacle choir. One announced that their music comes from
their "Library of Christian Music."
We wondered if this is a purchased library - or if folks just use it
freely. Used for good purpose, I doubt
if we would object. It was fun to see
the choir at the Olympics, wasn't it?
Leona
and I had a wonderful time on this little trip.
An aunt took over for Leona and took care of Leona's mother - we were
able to go just the two of us.
Ok - I
kind of cheated this week - maybe I'll pick up an extra meeting somewhere along
the line.
Love,
Brother Chuck
07 of
52 - Trip
Around The Sun – Christian Radio