Burky's Blog

Lewis, a fundamentalist?  Ah, I can see why your friend told you that.

There are something about Lewis that is less desirable.  Kathryn and I was talking about it another day.  I can't really put finger on it, but there are something about him that I can see why people don't really love him. 

A fundamentalist is someone who try to adhere to certain standards.  That is not bad in itself.  In fact, it is good that we stand for what we believe in.  Lewis does that a lot better than I do.  Still, I do feel that Lewis is more narrow-minded than he cared to admit.  He keep talking about that he want to follow the Bible as closely as he can.  The problem is, there are some things that happens in our lives that the Bible have no say in the matter.  How can we know if we are doing the right thing?

That's what I want to show people.  I believe that Christian is just a person who are intimate (sp?) with Jesus.  I mean, think about this way...if God created this world, so that means the Scriptural rules that God gave us simply protect us from wrong or damage.  Like for example, no fornication.  I have read enough stories in Christian books that people often wish to be virgin until they are married.  God knows that.  We cannot know the whole picture, because we are limited in our knowledge.  I believe there is more to abstaining from fornication than meets the eye.  I am not trying to make you feel bad, but that is one of the examples I can think of.

Also, the Bible clearly teaches abundant life.  Sometimes we do things and we realize how much we really enjoy it.  In fact, it make us feel close to God.  In that same matter, if you share this with a Fundamentalist, he probably would protest, because the thing you do is questionable, as the Bible says we should abstain from anything questionable.  We know that Las Vegas is nicknamed "Sin City" and we know what reputation that city have.  Does that means we as Christians are not allow to go to that city at all?  The Bible have no say in this matter, but it keep asserting about the spirit of the matter.  We can conclude that THE REASON behind of us going to Las Vegas may make our trip good or bad.  After all, who says if you go to Las Vegas, you MUST gamble and fornicate?  Las Vegas itself have no law against you wanting to do the right thing.  There are a lot of shows or entertainments that we have no need to sin at any point.  In fact, a time spend with family or friend could make you feel close to God.

That is one thing I don't like about Lewis.  He is much like my family; they live in fear of sinning.  The Bible teaches we are not to fear, but to live boldly.  Worry is opposite of faith.  We are well aware that if we do what we feel like doing makes us feel much better than if we don't do anything.  Why is it that people feel more drawn to brave stories than timid stories?  We talk about heroes and we admire them.  We noticed that people who have higher self-confidence seem to enjoy life than those who don't have self-confidence.  There is a reason for this.  God made us that way.  That's why I really like Palin.  I like her confidence and can-do attitude toward life.  Imagine being a mother of 5 children and one of them are Down's!  By all appearance, she is well-accomplished lady who I admire.  Sure, she and her husband make their mistakes.  But think about it, who doesn't?  Only Jesus never make mistakes, so why do we have to try to worry about not making mistakes?!

In fact, Jesus gave us a freedom to make mistakes.  He much rather that we live boldly and by faith than to be too careful.  After all, He scold his disciples for not having faith before he left the earth (see Mark 16:14).  Hebrews 13 clearly said that it is impossible to please God without faith.

I had a privilege of reading Philippians 2-4 this morning as my daily Bible reading.  I am glad for a website like this one, because I can get an email from them telling me which chapter or verse to read for today.  They have 13 Bible reading plans, so you can check them out if you are interested.  Sorry, if you get through the Bible in one year plan or two years' plan, you will get links to online Bible as www.biblegateway.com.  I also subscribe to faith verses, and I get a verse a day.

Anyway, back to Bible reading, I came across the verse Philippians 4:6.  It says be careful for nothing.  That's KJV, still you get the idea.  Why worry about you might make mistakes?  Be simple and have no confidence in your flesh, because YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES!  There are no getting around that fact.  So all you have to do is trust in Jesus who dwells in you, that He forgave your sins and make you entitled for Heaven.  If you make mistakes unintentionally, all you have to do is to make resolutions, if necessary, or apologized to the one you wronged.  No need of going to priest or preacher or anything like that.  And trust that God will work something out.  Often God like to use our mistakes for His glory, so you can be well comforted.

Oh dear, I am sorry, I didn't mean to be long-winded.  I hope you don't get bored with me trying to explain.  I am tired of so many legalistic Christians, that I want Christians to live boldly!  I want everyone to have fun and enjoy life well.  You can have fun and still be on right track.

To simplify your life, simply think of the world/community/church/family or whatever as Jesus.  What you do to the public, you are doing to Jesus.  You are not bound by any men, because God made you as you are.  No sense of trying to please everybody.  You simply can't.  Just be yourself, and never mind about your mistakes as long as you already ask for forgiveness about them.  Have fun and enjoy life!  Keep doing what will improve your life, like doing good works.  Don't worry about what others say to you; most often it is losers who protest most loudly.

Go for Lewis's Bible Study.  Use his ideas for your benefit, but don't follow his ideas that made you feel "sad" or blah.  If his ideas make you feel glad and joyful, follow after that idea. 

Remember: Know God, know peace...you want that peace, don't you?  You want to FEEL loved at all times, don't you?  Then do what will leave you feel loved and at peace!  Keep thinking positive...BELIEVING that God can do anything even what we call impossible!

--Omar Burkholder
"Burky"