One of the dangers of writing a blog, especially if it has a faith theme, is that people might consider the writer an expert. Sometimes the writer might get an over inflated opinion of his own opinion.

I am a student, not a graduate expert. I am learning and don’t have the last word. I know what I’ve read and experienced, but can’t feel that gives me any authority in another’s life.

I watched John Rich’s conversation with Jordan Peterson on a podcast. I thought Rich did an excellent job. He stuck very closely to scripture and didn’t venture off with his own translation of truth. He represented himself as subject to the Bible and not its enforcer or final authority. I found it very encouraging.

My OPINION is that you can measure the maturity of a minister or ministry according to how much time he/it spends promoting Jesus versus how much time it spends promoting his/herself, a derived point of view, or the ministry they represent. The question becomes, “Where is the focus?” It is kind of like the detective shows saying, “Follow the money and the power.”

Charismatic people can seem very believable, even though what they say may not be accurate or completely true. The most dangerous lie (in my opinion) is the one that is partly true. I read in a social sciences book that people tend to credit others according to their appearance. Handsome or beautiful people are often credited with being better than homely or ugly people as a human tendency. (That is a flimsy reference without title, author, and page number.)

It is a painful discipline in my life to force myself to search for truth instead of following the waves of emotional comfort that don’t require any truth or effort. I’m not the only one. I’ve spoken to atheists who have given the best description of divine creation that I’ve ever heard while insisting it was all random. It is dangerous to be reckless and lazy when seeking the truth!

I hope that anyone who reads my blog will feel free to disagree with me. Each person is responsible for their own soul. They will not be able to blame their beliefs on anyone else because others are just an influence. The individual has to choose to agree or not. Our lives and eternal lives depend on the choices we make as individuals, not the groups we join or the blogs we follow. Please be careful with yourselves. You are precious.