A number of years ago I had an interesting experience that relates to 1 Corinthians 2. Our neighborhood was being visited by missionaries from a Christian church, and because our oldest son was serving a mission for our Church at that time, I decided to be "gracious" and invite a couple of the young women in and listen to what they had to say. I even let them come back a couple of times, as I was somewhat curious about what they believed. There was little exchange of thoughts between us, as the leader of the two was very domineering and gave little opportunity for discussion. I had hoped, especially for the sake of the quiet one (who seemed like a nice young woman), that I might be able to say something that would spark an interest in our doctrine, but after a couple of return visits, I could see that it was going nowhere. I determined that on their next visit I would bear my testimony and nicely let them know that I wasn't interested in having them come any more.
After the domineering one had expounded for a few minutes and was taking a breath, I started to express my feelings. She very rudely held her hands out (like to stop me) and started to verbally protest. The phone rang, which I tried to ignore. One of our sons came running upstairs to tell me something. Someone knocked on the door. It was a disaster. It was like some force was trying to prevent me from bearing my testimony to the truths of the Gospel.
Later that morning I sat with my scriptures, just kind of thumbing through the book while thinking about what had happened. I thought, "So much for my efforts at missionary work!" The book fell open to a spot, and for some reason I put my finger there to hold the place while I turned to another scripture I was looking for. When I went back to where my finger was, it was the second chapter of 1 Corinthians. As I read through it, it was like the Lord was thanking me for my desire and efforts, and was showing me why I had failed. Verse 14 says: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." I wasn't trying to convince her she was wrong, but I did want to say how I felt. It was more than just foolishness to her - she wouldn't even let me say it.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Being Prepared
The focus in the study guide I'm using for 1 and 2 Thessalonians is on being prepared both spiritually and physically for the events and calamities before the Second Coming. I'm going to write a couple of quotations from the study guide.
"Are you prepared for the day of vengeance to come, when the Lord will consume the wicked by the brightness of his coming? No? Then do not be too anxious for the Lord to hasten his work. Let our anxiety be centered upon this one thing, the sanctification of our own hearts, the purifying of our own affections, the preparing of ourselves for the approach of the events that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer. . . . Seek to have the spirit of Christ, that we may wait patiently the time of the Lord, and prepare ourselves for the times that are coming. This is our duty."
It warns about the dangers of debt: "Do you rationalize your indebtedness by insisting that you must have a nicer mode of transportation, a more luxurious place to live, or various recreational equipment? Have you determined that debt shall be incurred only for necessities that cannot be obtained otherwise? Are you committed to the idea that unresolved debts are just another form of theft?" That last question is a thought-provoking one, especially where declaring bankruptcy is so prevalent these days. People don't see any other way out from under obligations they can't meet, and it is a legal way to do it. But, still, when you get right down to it, it is a form of theft, not paying for what you have obtained.
"It is said that today's generation lives in the knowledge explosion. There is hardly any basic skill that cannot be studied in readily available books, [the internet], or learned in classes held around us. Sewing skills, cooking and dietary knowledge, basic mechanical abilities, farming know how--all of these can be learned and will be invaluable to you and those around you in times of crisis or shortage. You need not wait for economic independence to gain these priceless assets. And imagine the self-satisfaction that you would feel if you could say in time of crisis, "Even though I was not able to collect a complete food supply, I have the knowledge to produce food. Even though I have little in terms of temporal goods, I have skills and abilities to contribute to the common cause."
Around where I live some of the domestic skills the above quotation mentions are almost obsolete. The study guide was first published in 1978, thirty-two years ago, and during that time, things have changed a lot. Back then, or a few years earlier, being able to sew one's own clothes (and have them be fashionable and well-made) was a skill to be desired and developed. Stores like JC Penney and Sears carried a lot of fabric for clothes-making. Not any more, and not many women are interested in sewing clothes. Cooking is still necessary, but much of it is done with convenience foods, not making things from "scratch." Some people are still interested in home-gardening, but it isn't prevalent like it used to be, even in rural areas. We have become so dependent on "stores" that we would be in serious trouble if we couldn't just go buy whatever we need.
"Are you prepared for the day of vengeance to come, when the Lord will consume the wicked by the brightness of his coming? No? Then do not be too anxious for the Lord to hasten his work. Let our anxiety be centered upon this one thing, the sanctification of our own hearts, the purifying of our own affections, the preparing of ourselves for the approach of the events that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer. . . . Seek to have the spirit of Christ, that we may wait patiently the time of the Lord, and prepare ourselves for the times that are coming. This is our duty."
It warns about the dangers of debt: "Do you rationalize your indebtedness by insisting that you must have a nicer mode of transportation, a more luxurious place to live, or various recreational equipment? Have you determined that debt shall be incurred only for necessities that cannot be obtained otherwise? Are you committed to the idea that unresolved debts are just another form of theft?" That last question is a thought-provoking one, especially where declaring bankruptcy is so prevalent these days. People don't see any other way out from under obligations they can't meet, and it is a legal way to do it. But, still, when you get right down to it, it is a form of theft, not paying for what you have obtained.
"It is said that today's generation lives in the knowledge explosion. There is hardly any basic skill that cannot be studied in readily available books, [the internet], or learned in classes held around us. Sewing skills, cooking and dietary knowledge, basic mechanical abilities, farming know how--all of these can be learned and will be invaluable to you and those around you in times of crisis or shortage. You need not wait for economic independence to gain these priceless assets. And imagine the self-satisfaction that you would feel if you could say in time of crisis, "Even though I was not able to collect a complete food supply, I have the knowledge to produce food. Even though I have little in terms of temporal goods, I have skills and abilities to contribute to the common cause."
Around where I live some of the domestic skills the above quotation mentions are almost obsolete. The study guide was first published in 1978, thirty-two years ago, and during that time, things have changed a lot. Back then, or a few years earlier, being able to sew one's own clothes (and have them be fashionable and well-made) was a skill to be desired and developed. Stores like JC Penney and Sears carried a lot of fabric for clothes-making. Not any more, and not many women are interested in sewing clothes. Cooking is still necessary, but much of it is done with convenience foods, not making things from "scratch." Some people are still interested in home-gardening, but it isn't prevalent like it used to be, even in rural areas. We have become so dependent on "stores" that we would be in serious trouble if we couldn't just go buy whatever we need.
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