Pause and Reflect 2007-09-28 15:49:00

From MSNBC’s Newsof the weird:

The periodic Christian Nudist Convocation took place in July at the Cherokee Lodge nudist camp in Tennessee, and according to a dispatch in Nashville Scene, the group evokes skepticism not only from most Christians (who dislike the flaunting of naked bodies, even if innocently done) but from most Cherokee Lodge members, who see them as too intense for naturism's laid-back attitude. One CNC attendee acknowledged that many Christians would not approve of Cherokee Lodge, but to him "(I)t's Jerusalem." Another compared his work at nudist camps to missionary work: "(S)ome people get sent to Africa, some people get sent to South America and the Lord was like, 'I want you to go to nudist resorts.' And I'm like, 'Wow, what an assignment.'" [Nashville Scene, 8-2-07]

It never ceases to amaze me what people will blame on God. I had a girl in college claim that God had told her to marry me. Apparently He forgot to tell me.

Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe that God still speaks to His people, if we will but open our ears, but some of the so-called words from the Lord out there are out and out lies, wishful thinking, or pure delusion. Throughout history God's so-called voice has been the cause of The Children's Crusade where thousands of children were sold into slavery after the Mediterranean Sea failed to part as they marched on Jerusalem. In fact, "God wills it" was the battle cry given by Pope Innocent II to begin the first Crusade.

The Spanish Inquisition, though in reality mostly a political tool (it was set up and controlled by King Ferdinand and was essentially a secret police punishing crimes against the state) was enabled by the support of the religious leaders as a way to force conversion to Christianity through torture and if necessary, a death sentence.

Paul Hill has promoted the "justifiable homicide" of abortion practitioners. Hill's describes his "joy" after killing an abortion doctor and gives voice to his feeling that, in murdering the doctor, God had done "great things" through him. Many horrible and simply silly things have been blamed on God's voice.

A word from God will never be contrary to His word, and whether your cause be personal, political, or a genuine desire to do right, any perceived word from God must be lined up with His Word, the Bible. If there is a discrepancy, your perceived message is wrong, not the Bible. The Bible wouldn't condone murder, wouldn't suggest torture, and wouldn't point you towards life on a nudist ranch.

The Bible is our primary source for hearing from God. Its high time we treat it that way. Having rooted and grounded ourselves in the Word, we can seek specific words for our lives. Lord speak, your servants are listening.